Brown sugar salmon with asparagus strawberry topping
I鈥檓 not sure if it鈥檚 the quality of TV I鈥檝e been watching, or if it鈥檚 something entirely different, but I have been CRACKING UP 鈥� out loud 鈥� alone in my apartment and I鈥檓 very aware of it. At first I didn鈥檛 notice much, but then I started realizing: Did I used to do this? Did I crack up when I was living with other people? I guess I must have 鈥� I don鈥檛 remember being conscious about it and suppressing my laughter 鈥� but I鈥檓 much more aware of it now. I鈥檓 still figuring this out, but I鈥檓 definitely laughing big ol鈥� belly laughs a LOT. It actually feels really good!
The two shows I鈥檝e been watching lately are: "Friends" and "Broad City." I finished watching alllll 10 seasons of Friends (most of which I鈥檝e seen before) last weekend, after working through them on Netflix at an alarming rate. It鈥檚 the perfect show for watching in the background, though 鈥� which I almost never do, since I feel the need to pay attention to everything usually. But "Friends" was perfect for packing, unpacking, cooking, cleaning, etc. And, now that I鈥檓 actually the same age the characters are, it is way more applicable/relatable/hilarious.
"Broad City" is an entirely different beast. It took me a few episodes to get into it, and I would not recommend it to everyone but is it hilarious! And completely inappropriate. I鈥檓 (close to) the age of their main characters, and while my life looks little-to-nothing like theirs: I can relate to many of the smaller quirks. gets me every. single. time. And I won鈥檛 go into details on how much I can relate to it.
Sad news, though: I finished Broad City, too!! So now I鈥檓 bingeing on Podcasts. I cancelled my newspaper subscription a while back, so I鈥檓 lacking on my news knowledge: which I miss! So, now I鈥檓 listening to all the newsy podcasts, as well as storytelling, traveling, food, comedy, yoga/meditation, random stuff. They鈥檙e my new favorite thing to do while cooking!
Should we talk about salmon? Broiling salmon is my absolute favorite way to cook it. It鈥檚 so fast 鈥� like 5 minutes fast 鈥� and the brown sugar melts and caramelizes and you end up with one delicious slice o鈥� fish! If you have a really thick filet, make sure you lower the rack and cook it for longer聽 otherwise you鈥檒l have a burnt top and raw inside piece of fish. Ain鈥檛 nobody got time for that!
As for the topping, I don鈥檛 know what inspired me to do this combo, but I really really loved it. I LOVE asparagus, but combined with sweet red strawberries: YEESSSS! Highly recommended! I served this alongside some wild rice, and had a lovely meal! Then had for dessert. WINNING!
Brown Sugar Salmon with Asparagus Strawberry Topping
Serves: 4-6
2 cups chopped asparagus (1-inch segments)
2 cups chopped strawberries
salt & pepper
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder (or paprika, for less spice)
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2-3 lbs. salmon filet, fresh
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1. Cook the asparagus in a saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until just softening. Remove from heat. Toss with the strawberries and lemon juice, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside
2. Combine the brown sugar, salt, chili powder, and black pepper. Stir to combine, the spread gently onto the surface of the salmon filet, which should be on a foil-lined baking sheet.
3. Broil the salmon, on the highest rack, for 5-6 minutes. If your filet is thicker than 1-inch, lower the rack and broil for 8-9 minutes instead.
4.Serve the salmon immediately, topped with the asparagus/strawberry topping, and the Greek yogurt diluted with a few tablespoons of water.
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