And Now for Something Completely Different...

I was stuck for dinner the other night and I didn't want to "cook." I had smoked salmon in the fridge that I needed to use up, along with some flour tortillas.  I didn't want to make quesadillas, so I wondered if a smoked salmon pizza would work.  From the freezer, I got some frozen peas and heated until they were just warm.  I then pureed them with the stick blender.  This was getting interesting.  I took 1/2 a tub of mascarpone cheese and mixed it with several sprinkles of dried dill, a pinch of dried lemon grass, Sunny Paris seasoning from Penzeys and a few pinches of salt.

Meanwhile, I lightly oiled a pan for heating the tortillas.  The rest reads like a recipe:  Heat tortillas until they are browned and crispy.  Spread with a small amount of the mascarpone mixture.  I wanted more spread, but I wanted it less melted, so I stuck the tortilla in the freezer for a few seconds to cool.  Then spread more herb mixture on tortilla and top with strips of smoked salmon.  Smooth some ribbons of pea puree down the tortilla three times.  Garnish with chopped scallions.  Slice in quarters for a mini meal or appetizer.

If you have fresh dill, even better.  I would have used it if I had it.  The elder kid liked it until she got to the pea puree.  Anything peas gives her the shivers.  The youngest ate it up, no problem and the husband followed suit.  Not bad for a throw together from an Everyday Girl.

Beautifully Simple

I know it has been forever since my last post.  My time has been limited lately.  Got kids in the school play, too much homework to crack the whip on, a producer's job in said play, my own home and work to deal with and life in general.  I have been shut in with various sick kids and their high fevers.  I'm two steps away from chucking the lot.

On a lot of these days, I need to eat stuff that is thrown together, but still satisfying.  At least that went my way today.  I eat a lot of high fat, heavy cream foods, so on other days, all my body craves are plain grains and cereal and lots of greens.  I've been known to eat handfuls of plain greens and veggies on those days.  This is not punishment - I love them!  Some days, however, I want to dress it up a bit.

It was this beautifully simple salad that got me through the day.

1/4 cup mirin
2 Tbs rice wine vinegar
Fat squirt of wasabi or 1/4 tsp wasabi powder
1 tsp coarse salt
Squirt of fresh lemon or lime
Several drops of sesame oil
Hot Chili flakes
Arugula/Rocket
Avocado

Whisk the first 6 ingredients with a fork.  Pour a few tablespoons over the arugula/rocket or whatever greens you would like to use.  Use dressing sparingly, with just enough to coat the greens lightly.  Reserve the rest for salads to get you through the next couple of days.  Sprinkle on chili flakes to your desired amount of heat.  Slice in avocado over the greens and enjoy.