Salmon with Mango Salsa

Adapted from here.

INGREDIENTS
4 salmon filets
olive oil
Seasoning Mix:
1 Tbsp paprika
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp dried oregano
Mango Salsa:
1 mango, cubed
1 avocado, cubed
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
2 Tbsp lime juice
1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat large skillet on medium-high heat. Combine seasoning mix in a small bowl. Rub each fillet with olive oil then sprinkle seasoning mix generously and evenly on both sides of the fillets. Place in hot skillet and cook for about 5 minutes on each side.
2. Toss all ingredients for salsa together and serve on top of the salmon.

Serving recommendation: rice and black beans.

Cracker Barrel's Pecan Crusted Catfish

*Adapted from the Wholesome Fixins Menu at Cracker Barrel.

Prep: 30 minutes
Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS
4 5oz boneless, skinless catfish filets (tilapia works well too)
1 tsp olive oil
for creole marmalade:
2 Tbsp orange marmalade
1/4 tsp dijon mustard
dash of creole/cajun seasoning
for pecan crumble:
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup Panko seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped pecans
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
1/4 tsp creole/cajun seasoning

DIRECTIONS
1. Prepare pecan crumble: In a small skillet, heat olive oil. Add bread crumbs and cook until golden brown, then add the pecans and garlic, lightly sautéing. Add parsley and seasoning and mix together.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Spray cast iron skillet (or other oven-safe skillet) with nonstick spray and heat with olive oil. When sizzling hot, add catfish and cook until golden on bottom--about 2 minutes. Gently turn fish with flat spatula, and even brush each filet with 1/2 Tbsp creole marmalade. Lightly pat fish with pecan crumble and place skillet in hot oven until crumble is golden brown.
4. Serve immediately.

Crab, Asparagus, and Sweet Corn Quiche

*Mimi's Cafe used to offer a quiche with these ingredients on their menu, but sadly did away with it a couple of years ago. I've been wanting to see if I could mimic it...here's what I came up with.

Serves: 6
Prep: 30 minutes + 40 minutes baking

INGREDIENTS
10-12 stalks of asparagus, trimmed and cut diagonally into 3/4" pieces
1 ear of sweet corn, kernels removed
1/4 cup onion, finely diced
1 Tbsp butter
1 (9 in.) unbaked pastry shell
1 cup crabmeat, drained and flaked
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS
1. Sauté asparagus in butter in a saucepan on medium-high for 3 minutes. Add corn and onion; sauté an additional 3 minutes or until onion begins to turn translucent and asparagus is crisp tender. Drain vegetables on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
2. Prepare pie pan with pie crust. Arrange vegetables over the pastry crust. Top with crab meat. Sprinkle feta cheese over crab.
3. In a small bowl, whisk eggs, milk, Parmesan cheese, dry mustard, paprika, and salt. Brush a bit of the egg mixture around the edges of the pastry crust, then pour mixture into the pastry.
4. Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes or until firm. Allow to rest 10-15 minutes before cutting.

*Notes for myself:

• I used canned white meat crab. 
• Consider using seafood seasoning like Old Bay in place of paprika. 
• Consider adding one Tbsp of flour to help absorb moisture--sprinkle over pastry before adding vegetables.
• The quiche did not rise, so pour egg mixture into pastry shell right up until just below the brim of the shell.

Honey Balsamic Glazed Salmon

*Adapted from here.

Serves: 4
Prep: 20 minutes + time to marinate

INGREDIENTS
4 salmon filets with skin (1 lb.)
1/4 cup light balsamic salad dressing
2 Tbsp honey
salt & pepper to taste
1 Tbsp olive oil

DIRECTIONS
1. Combine salad dressing, honey, salt & pepper in a zip-top bag and mix thoroughly. Add salmon filets and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 4-8 hours.
2. Heat oil on skillet on medium heat. Add filets (reserving the marinade), flesh-side down, and cook for 6 minutes. Turn and cook 2 more minutes or until fish flakes with a fork. Remove and keep warm.
3. Add the rest of the marinade to the skillet and turn heat to high. Allow sauce to simmer until reduced and thickened, stirring frequently. Drizzle glaze over filets to serve.

Serving suggestions: Serve with rice pilaf and/or sautéed vegetables.

Curried Rice with Shrimp

*Adapted from Real Simple magazine. View the original recipe here.

PREP: 45 minutes
SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS:
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp. curry powder (use 2 tsp. if you prefer more spice)
1 cup long-rain white rice
Kosher salt and pepper
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped

DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 6 to 8 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and curry and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 2 minutes.
3. Add the rice, 2 1/2 cups water, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Season the shrimp with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper and nestle them in the partially cooked rice. Cover and cook until the shrimp are opaque throughout, 4 to 5 minutes. Fold in the basil and serve.

NOTES: You can easily use frozen raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp--just thaw using the instructions on the package while rice is cooking.

Salmon & Noodle Bowl

*Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens magazine, April 2008. There's a video showing how to make this recipe here.

PREP: 30 minutes
SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS:
9-oz. pkg. refrigerated fettuccine pasta
olive oil
1 lb. skinless, boneless 1" thick salmon, cut into 2-4 pieces
salt and ground black pepper
6 cups packaged fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup bottled roasted red or yellow sweet peppers
1/2 cup reduced-calorie balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing

DIRECTIONS:
1. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to the water to keep the noodles from sticking together.
2. Meanwhile, brush 1 tablespoon olive oil on salmon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat an extra-large skillet over medium heat; add salmon. Cook 8-12 minutes or until salmon flakes, turning once. Remove salmon and flake into bite-sized pieces (discarding scales if attached).
3. Add 1 tablespoon to the skillet along with spinach and sweet peppers. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes, until spinach is just wilted. Drain pasta; add to skillet. Add dressing and return salmon to the skillet; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among four bowls and serve.

ALTERNATIVE:
For Asian flavor, substitute wheat soba noodles instead of the fettuccine and hoisin sauce instead of the balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

Easy Shrimp Pasta for Two

*Adapted from Kraft "Food & Family" magazine, winter 2008.

PREP: 30 minutes
SERVES: 2 (although could easily be multiplied to feed more)

INGREDIENTS:
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinaigrette dressing
1/2 lb. uncooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined
1 large tomato, diced
2 oz. (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) cream cheese, cubed
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil leaves, divided
4 oz. (1/4 of 1-lb. pkg.) fettuccine, uncooked
2 Tbsp. shredded Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:
1. Pour dressing over shrimp in small bowl; cover. Refrigerate 20 minutes to marinate. Cook pasta directed on package. Meanwhile, heat large skillet on medium heat; add shrimp mixture. Cook 3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink, stirring frequently. Remove shrimp from skillet, using slotted spoon; cover to keep warm. Set aside.
2. Add tomatoes, cream cheese, and 1 Tbsp. of the basil to same skillet; cook and stir 3 minutes or until well blended*. Add shrimp; cook until heated through, stirring occasionally.
3. Drain pasta. Place on serving platter and top with shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1 Tbsp. basil and the shredded cheese.

*If you prefer it saucier, stir a small amount of milk into the shrimp mixture while heating. (I recommend adding about 1/8 - 1/4 cup of milk.)