We returned home from West Virginia late Monday night. It was a good trip. One of those trips you almost wish was a little less good…because then it wouldn’t hurt so much to say goodbye. My little sister and I are four years apart, and we’re now over one thousand miles away from each other. She’s one of the brightest, most loving and sacrificial people I know. I miss her more than words can convey.
And so, as is custom around here, I’m baking and cooking to work through my sadness. There’s nothing quite as comforting to me as a clean kitchen and a refrigerator stocked with fresh produce. Give me a few hours…and I can work through most tangles of emotion.
Happily, these therapy sessions tend to be good for both my heart and my stomach. I’ve made quite a bit of salmon over the last few years, but I’ve finally hit on recipe gold. This salmon is slow baked, which means that my days of overcooking salmon are officially over. You’ll find that this method almost always guarantees an intensely moist and flavorful filet. I couldn’t stop rejoicing as we ate our way through dinner–I finally figured out how to do this!
And then this simple couscous salad is packed full of good things: toasted pine nuts, feta cheese, roasted tomatoes, organic spinach….This simple spinach couscous salad was meant to serve at least four, but Ryan and I couldn’t resist going back for seconds and then thirds.
So if you’re finding your emotions running high this week, get into the kitchen and make this meal. Your heart and your stomach will thank you.
Slow Baked Salmon
12-ounce fillet of salmon, skin on (or 6 ounces per person)
Finely grated zest of a lemon (1 loosely packed tablespoon)
1 tablespoon of olive oil
A generous pinch of flaky sea salt
Place a pan 1/2 full of water (I use a 8″ round cake tin) in the oven on the lower rack and preheat to 250°F. Lightly grease a baking pan. Place the filet of salmon on baking pan, skin side down. Brush olive oil on top. Sprinkle with sea salt and lemon zest.
Bake for 25 – 30 minutes. Check for doneness at 20 minutes. Place a knife tip in the thickest part of the salmon and gently pry. If the salmon separates into flakes, it’s done. If not, return it to the bake for another five minutes.
Spinach Couscous Salad
One pound organic spinach
Four cups prepared couscous (about 2 cups uncooked)
1/2 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
1 pint cherry tomatoes tossed in about 1 tablespoon olive oil
1 8 ounce package feta cheese
1/4 cup high quality olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread tomatoes (tossed in olive oil) on a baking sheet. Roast until they just begin to burst, about 20 minutes.
In a large skillet, heat spinach until it starts to wilt. Remove from heat.
In a large bowl, gently toss together roasted tomatoes, wilted spinach, cooked couscous, toasted pine nuts, and feta cheese. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey. Pour over salad, toss again, and serve at room temperature.
Living far from close family members can be so difficult! And the goodbyes/initial days after are always the most emotional! I often go months without seeing my family back home and am similar to you in working through my emotions in the kitchen (usually in the form of cakes and curries for some reason). I am so thankful for skype and modern technology which makes family that is far away seem that much closer – I honestly do not know how I would cope without it!!!
And this salad looks amazing – I love the taste of warm roasted pine nuts in a spinach salad – deelish!
Aww! ((hugs)) it’s hard to leave the ones you love. I can relate to kitchen therapy, it’s been such a constant healthy way to deal with “things” for me for years. This salmon dish sounds delicious, perfect summer dinner. Thanks for posting it. : )
Yum! I literally just made my own couscous salad… we’re blogging twins! I loooove spinach in salads and much prefer it to lettuce 🙂
I need to try this! Cooking salmon is often hit or miss for me. This looks lovely!
I think food comforts most of us. And salmon always works like a charm in this regard — such great flavor. Love the salad, too. Thanks.
I love the simplicity of this meal! Super easy & yet super flavorful. I might try it out with a variety of other fish too — swordfish steaks anyone?
im so glad you guys had a wonderful time…i have been making mediocre salmon too but one of my favorite is to bake it in a pouch (http://www.foodpleasureandhealth.com/2013/12/salmon-en-papillote.html) I will definitely try this when i make salmon next time.
Monet, I feel for you! My bro lives in Switzerland and I rarely see him, I went over in February and cried so much when we hugged goodbye, everyone in the plane was looking at me!
And I 100% concur: no better therapy than cooking…and eating that beautiful salmon.
It’s hard to say goodbye to family in the best circumstances, but I’d imagine given your history, partings are even more bittersweet.
I read this sweet words and I like you even more dear Monet. The recipe is great, you’re right. I always enjoy a nice piece of salmon and all the additions sound like a good mix.
It’s always so hard to say goodbye to family isn’t it? It’s nice to see how close you two are.
Such gorgeous fresh produce, this looks like a delicious and nourishing dinner!
This sounds like my idea of the perfect lunch (or dinner of course). I have all of the ingredients apart from the salmon so am actually very tempted to go and buy some this afternoon! It sounds just delicious … and so healthy, which goes without saying really.
Sorry about the ‘bump back to reality’ after your lovely trip. 🙁 You will just have to begin planning your next trip!
At least you’ll have all of those lovely memories of the time you spent with your sister 🙂
And this salad! It sounds delicious, but it’s also GORGEOUS!
My husband and I live across the country from each of our families and it is always so hard to leave when we go visit. I always tell myself that someday we will live closer together. I feel like the older I get the more I want to be close to them.
Salmon is one of those foods that always looks so good to me, but I never get around to buying. This salad looks like the perfect lunch! I need to go pick some salmon up!
awwww 🙁 I totally know what it’s like to miss family-it sounds like you and your sister have such a lovely relationship!
Looks so good. I will have to make it. We just got home from vacation and I am loving being home and actually getting to cook again.
Aaw, it’s hard living far away from family 🙁 That’s so nice that you two have such a close relationship though 🙂
What a great dish! Love salmon and this sounds delicious!
This salad sounds delicious, I can see why you had to go back for extra portions!
I’ve always enjoyed good-prepared salmon! And such salad is a great addition to it!