A food post

Ok, so you guys know that I’m not a great cook. It’s not that I don’t know how. I just don’t want to. Should I be embarrassed for saying that? I feel like I should be.

I do LOVE to eat though. So, to all my foodie friends out there, if you want me to be your best friend, give me food. There’s something about receiving the gift of homemade goodness that makes my heart happy.

ANYWAY, I thought I’d share some of my go-to meals, because you might be looking for quick, easy, and GOOD meal ideas, too.

So, my go-to dish right now when salmon is on sale at the market is this Grilled Salmon. It’s super easy and SO good. My pickiest kid (Jack) even loves it.

• 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets
• lemon pepper to taste
• garlic powder to taste
• salt to taste
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

1. Season salmon fillets with lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
2. In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and vegetable oil until sugar is dissolved. Place fish in a large resealable plastic bag with the soy sauce mixture, seal, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
3. Preheat grill for medium heat.
4. Lightly oil grill grate. Place salmon on the preheated grill, and discard marinade. Cook salmon for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

I always cook this salmon on our indoor grill, which is the handiest kitchen appliance I own. We got it as a wedding gift over 14 years ago and it’s still going strong.  We don’t do a lot of outdoor grilling (I’m not sure why – it’s just not our thing), but I use my indoor grill almost every day. It’s so convenient for grilling chicken, fish, veggies, sausage, whatever. I highly recommend it!

I often make the salmon with these Parmesan Baked Potato Halves, which are equally as simple and delish.

• 6 small potatoes, scrubbed and cut in half
• 1/4 cup butter
• grated parmesan cheese
• garlic powder
• other seasonings (to personal preference)

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt butter and pour into a 9×13 inch pan and spread evenly across the bottom. Generously sprinkle parmesan cheese and lightly sprinkle other seasonings all over the butter. Place potato halves face down on the butter and seasonings. Place in preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. 

I’m not a good rule follower and don’t use recipes very often. This simple and healthy pasta dish is a recipe that I came up with and it’s a staple at our house. 

• 1 lb. smoked sausage
• Bowtie pasta
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Olive oil
• Basil (dried or fresh)
• Diced tomatoes

• Slice the sausage and grill or saute it (I grill it on my indoor grill). Cook bowtie pasta according to the box directions and drain. Put the pasta in a bowl and add diced tomatoes, olive oil, basil, and parmesan cheese.  Then add the sausage to the bowl.  You could add other veggies as well like sauteed peppers, mushrooms, peas, etc.

This salsa recipe is a good one I made recently, and this chocolate chip oatmeal cookie recipe was really good too.

So, there you have it. A few ideas in case you need any!

The wood sign at the beginning of the post is available locally at the Flower & Home Marketplace but I’ll also offer it in my website if anyone is interested.