Seafood

Mediterranean Lemon-Olive Salmon Cakes

We’re officially in the middle of fall and everyone is pulling out all the stops with apple-this and pumpkin-that. Soups, warm spices, and all things cozy are making their appearances on my Instagram. And I’m over here making…Mediterranean Lemon-Olive Salmon Cakes. Ha! Pretty much as far away from fall as you can possibly get. That never stopped me, though. It’s warm, it’s delicious, and it’s been on my “to-make” list probably since spring when it was actually “in season,” so I’m making it now whether it’s seasonally Pinterest-appropriate or not. Especially when I have a freezer full of salmon. More on that in a bit. And you know what? I think you should make it now, too. I promise, once you make it, you’ll be glad you didn’t wait to make it either. (continue reading…)

Salmon Poke Bowls

Philip and I don’t always agree on everything, like whether or not a dessert or bread is made better by adding nuts to it (I’d rather leave them out) or if it’s acceptable to have music playing in the car at any and all times (the music is always on if it’s just me in the car). But one thing we can agree on is that these Salmon Poke Bowls are our all-time favorite meal to date! Just yesterday, Philip mentioned that he could eat these every week.

A lot of meals go up onto our menu board every week, most of them being different from the previous weeks. I like to joke that we’re on a 6-month rotating schedule (the sad part is, I’m not really joking. Haha)—meaning we don’t typically get to a repeat meal until about 6 months later. And that’s only if it’s still seasonably appropriate to have it again. But these poke bowls? We immediately decided to make it a priority to add it our meal plan at least every other month, if not more that that. Obviously, Philip would like it more than that. ;)

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Baked Lime & Cilantro Salmon Meatballs with Avocado Sauce

Wait! Before you completely discredit this recipe and move on to your next find on the web, give me a chance to explain!

I know you see baked fish in the title and I know you see meatballs. And I know you immediately think you’re probably not interested. I understand. It doesn’t always sound the most appealing (myself included), but this baked salmon is so flavorful with generous amounts of cilantro and lime pulsed right into the meatball. Plus, with spices like paprika and oregano to give it a little pizzazz, it’s not just your typical baked salmon meatball. These little meatballs are mighty in flavor.

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Orange-Sesame Salmon with Quinoa

Is it just me, or is this aaaamazing weather we’ve been having putting everyone in a better mood? I’m finally feeling like spring really is here and may just be staying around for a while now. It felt great to open up the windows and actually get some fresh air in the house. About time! Also, I think our neighbor’s kids were stationed on their trampoline in their backyard all day on Sunday. I’m not kidding, it was a really long time!

This fresh new season has me wanting fresh food! Orange-Sesame Salmon with Quinoa is that, plus it couldn’t be easier or faster to put together. I also love that it’s a recipe for a full meal — main and sides are all included. Even the vegetable is cooked right along side the salmon. I do a pretty good job of planning out meals each week for Philip and me, but to be honest, the sides are usually an afterthought for me. I love that this recipe is an all-in-one. :)

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Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Tabbouleh

Is anybody else having trouble wrapping their mind around the idea that Christmas is less than 2 weeks away?! 2 weeks!! December always seems to fly by, but I feel like I was just celebrating my birthday, which was December 1st. How is it already mid-December?

I’m not sure how we managed it, but Philip and I were able to find a free weekend in December to make a trip to Illinois this past weekend to see his parents and grandparents and for me to connect with a friend in the area. We celebrated the start of a new season for him at his job, relaxed in front of the fireplace while the snow fell outside, and played a family favorite game—Rummikub. It was certainly a special weekend and it’s making me even more excited to see more family later this month!

Today I’m excited to bring you a new recipe that is a holiday/winter twist on a traditional Mid-eastern vegetarian dish. Tabbouleh is traditionally a salad composed of the grain bulgur, parsley, tomatoes, green onions, mint, olive oil, and lemon juice. I love bulgur (whole grain for the win!), but this recipe is even easier to whip together because it involves no cooking of the grain. Instead, cauliflower takes its place and my favorite winter vegetable, sweet potato, is added in to give it a little heartiness and sweetness.

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Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Welcome to another work week everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend. Philip and I had a quiet weekend by ourselves, but I was also celebrating the fact that I didn’t have to work this weekend, so we enjoyed having the entire weekend to be productive, relax, and spend quality time together.

We had high (perhaps lofty?) hopes of having nice, warm weather so we could get out and go biking or hiking together, but since the weather wasn’t that great out, we decided after our individual morning runs to instead take it easy, go to a coffee shop to sip on…smoothies (#notacoffeedrinker), and have a movie night. While we missed not spending time with family this weekend, it was nice having time to get things done and still be able to relax together. #yearoffun

Not to mention, today we have painters coming to paint the majority of our main floor, the upstairs stairwell, and hallway in our house. So yesterday meant we had to take down decorations, remove all the wall plates, and move furniture away from the walls. Although it really wasn’t much, during the midst of it, I had a slight internal panic reliving the idea of one day moving again. It amazes me what will fit in just one closet!

Coming off a holiday that is inevitably centered around food (and candy!), it seems like we’re all looking for something a little lighter following a day of overeating. If you’re thinking, “Yes! That’s me!” I have the perfect meal idea for you today: Mediterranean Tuna Salad. Even if you didn’t overeat this past weekend and are just in the mood for a healthier twist on tuna salad, you’re going to love this one. It’s filling and protein-rich from the double-duty of the beans and tuna and is bright and fresh with spring staples like lemon juice and fragrant herbs. I’m still striving after my goal for the year of eating more fish, and I’m happy to report that so far, so good! And this salad makes it super easy for me, too. It’s great for lunch or even a light supper.

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Panko-Crusted Asian Salmon + Walt Disney World Adventures!

Panko-Crusted Asian Salmon

Hello again, everyone! I’m back after having a magical time in Walt Disney World last week! (see what I did there… ;)) My entire immediate family packed our bags and flew in from three different states to meet together at Disney World for a week. And boy, did we have a fun-packed time! I hadn’t been there in over 17 years (!!) and Philip had never been, so we were due for a trip to the most magical place ever. Seriously, Disney does it all!

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Going as an adult made me appreciate all the details, personalization, and exceptional service that much more (who am I kidding, I didn’t even notice as a kid). They make it a magical place for all ages. The classics were all still there (hello Space Mountain!), but from the MyDisney Experience app, PhotoPasses, and FastPass+ to the meal plans and MagicBands (#disneylingo), I felt like it was a completely different and streamlined experience. Never in my life have I had the luxury of checking my bags at the airport and not worrying about them until they showed up in our hotel room. Talk about service!

All the extra perks aside, spending five days with my family creating memories, plus seeing the awe in my four-year-old niece’s face when she got to hug and see all the princesses was the best. Isn’t she the most adorable Belle ever?!

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I felt like this was a classic family vacation: On-the-go nonstop until you finally crash each night out of pure exhaustion. From breakfast with Disney characters to dinner with the Disney princesses, parades, and fireworks at the parks, we were out and about all day. I think it’s safe to say that I’m successfully living up my word of the year: Fun! #yearoffun

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While my word of the year is fun, I also made a very vague and unmeasurable goal at the last minute: Eat more fish. So far this year (one month in!), I’d say that has also been successful. Disney, thanks for offering Ahi tuna and salmon at almost every meal. :) It was delicious.

You know what else is delicious? This Panko-Crusted Asian Salmon, which is my latest recipe to help increase our fish intake to a weekly basis. Fish is a great, lean source of protein, plus fatty fish like salmon and tuna are filled with healthy Omega-3 fats that can help prevent heart disease, inflammation, and promote brain health. #winning

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Roasted Butternut Squash & Farro Winter Salad

Maple Roasted Butternut Squash & Farro Winter Salad

Welcome to another work week, friends! I can’t believe we’re less than three weeks away from Thanksgiving and all the festivities that come after that! I don’t think I’ve fully come to terms that it’s November yet either. Is it okay that I still keep thinking it’s September?

I think every weekend from now until, uhhh…February (?!) is filled up with something on my calendar. So it was nice this weekend to just take it easy — no real plans whatsoever.

Philip and I wandered through a bookstore in downtown Madison, picked up Mad Libs and played a few rounds (for some reason, this game was really fun and hilarious when I was ten. I think we gave half-hearted chuckles and moved on…), played Rummikub in front of our fireplace (a family favorite game on both sides of our families and what we bonded over from the very beginning of our relationship), and watched ~~a few~~ several episodes of Downtown Abbey to cap off our evenings. I know, we’re behind the times with the TV show selection. Besides the fact that I can only catch 75% of what they’re saying and I had to keep asking Philip for a synopsis after almost every episode during the first season, I’m totally hooked.

A completely unproductive weekend, but just what I needed. This lack of productivity may be partly because I was forced out of our kitchen for the weekend. What may have consumed my time normally — like baking or cooking — was not an option due to a slight demo project currently going on. Hopefully by next week my kitchen will be up and open for business again (pictures included)!

In the meantime, I’m sharing my Maple Roasted Butternut Squash and Farro Salad paired with grilled salmon that we had awhile back when we had some unseasonably warm weather in our area. This salad would also be perfect with baked chicken or as a side dish with your Thanksgiving meal! Serve it warm or cold, this will be one of your most versatile dishes. The best part (besides its delicious flavors) is the easy prep. Because it can be served cold, you can make it ahead of time — especially nice if you’re serving it for Turkey Day.

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Citrus Salmon with Kale & Whole-Wheat Couscous

Can we just talk about the weather we’ve been having lately? It’s been…well, not miserable! Finally. Okay, so it hasn’t actually been all that bad (yet) compared to other years, but when it’s cold, it’s cold. But the weather the past few days have made going outside almost enjoyable. It was so nice on Sunday (a balmy 40 degrees) — and knowing it wasn’t going to last long — I took the opportunity to drop what I was doing and go for an impromptu run around our new neighborhood. Just what I needed! Cabin fever is a legit thing, I tell ya.

With the ~~great~~ much improved weather and the idea of “fresh starts” still on my mind with the new year, I was craving something other than soups for once. Citrus Salmon with Kale & Whole-Wheat Couscous was the result.

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Strawberry Spinach Salad with Grilled Salmon & Lemon Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Happy Monday, everyone!

I hope you all had a fun-filled Fourth of July weekend! I had probably the most “summer-like” weekend that I’ve had in a looong time! Something about bike rides, s’mores, boating, sitting out in the sun, grilling, and having ice cream just screams summer.

Enjoying the fireworks on the lake with Philip and my uncle.

It was a wonderful, mini-vacation from work and I’m already feeling a lot more rejuvenated than I was last weekend—plus, my second attempt at jam making yesterday afternoon was a success!

Philip and I started off our long weekend with more strawberry picking! We knew we couldn’t wait much longer if we wanted any more fresh strawberries. We lucked out and hit the tail end of the strawberry season here in Wisconsin (why does the season have to be so short?!). The sweetness of these strawberries are incredible! I’m telling ya, after having these, the strawberries in the grocery store don’t even compare. Besides just canning the strawberries, I’ve been eating them plain, in fruit salads and spinach salads for a sweeter spin.

One of my favorite salads right now is my Strawberry Spinach Salad with Grilled Salmon & Lemon Poppy Seed Vinaigrette. Not only does it have the strawberries that are in season right now, it also has another food that’s “in season”—salmon!

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