Friday, June 12, 2009

'HEAVEN IN A WILDFLOWER' ~ THYME-SCENTED SALMON with TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SALAD

"To see a world
in a grain of sand
and heaven in a wildflower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
~ William Blake

Berlandier's sundrops, Square-bud primrose, Sundrop

Calylophus berlandier

Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family)

Ox-Eye Daisy
(Aster family)

Geranium

Geraniaceae Family

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THYME-SCENTED SALMON with TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SALAD

~ From Chef Stephen Lewandowski in Cooking Light (May 2003) comes this delightful fresh herb infused spring/summer supper

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Bean Salad:
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup finely chopped shallots
2 minced garlic cloves
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp. chopped fresh mint
2 tsp. chopped fresh basil
2 Tbsp. water
1 (15-ounce) can drained cannellini beans or other white beans

Salmon:
2 tsp.
chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets (about 1-inch thick)
3 Tbsp. lemon juice

Garnish: arugula, sea salt, freshly ground pepper, lemon slices

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • To prepare bean salad, heat the oil in a medium nonstick skillet; add celery, carrot, shallots, and garlic. Cook 4 minutes or until tender; add juice and next 5 ingredients (juice through beans). Cook bean mixture 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; cover.
  • To prepare salmon, combine thyme, 1 teaspoon parsley, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; sprinkle evenly over fish. Place fish on a baking sheet or broiler pan lined with aluminum foil. Bake at 375° for 14 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Remove from oven; sprinkle evenly with 3 tablespoons juice. Serve with bean salad over a bed of arugula dressed with salt, freshly ground black pepper and lemon juice. (4 servings)

16 comments:

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

I like ox-eye daisies but they want to take over my beds! Same with sundrops. Wild geranium I love. :) I made split pea soup yesterday which, as I'm not a cook, is quite remarkable. But I made it in my crockpot (and that's not). :)

Rob (ourfrenchgarden) said...

Beautiful aren't they.

As good as any cultivated plant.

Rob

Jan said...

I love the 'simple' flowers. So sweet looking!
May I ask where you come up with your wonderful recipes? If I ever am without a meal idea, I know exactly where to go...right here!

joey said...

I hear you, Monica ... they can be invasive but I share so many they have not become a problem like many other pests in my garden. Love split pea soup, a favorite ... delighted yours turned out great. I'm not a crock pot cook but could be if you share your delicious recipe :)

Indeed Rob ... wildflowers are wonderous! A simple gift ... though often invasive, Michigan roadsides are blessed with many breathtaking beauties. Those incorported in my garden are gifts I generously share with advice on wise planting, to keep them tamed.

Oh Jan ... you have been in my thoughts ... the sprain enough but do hope you've caught Lyme Disease symptoms early (2 in my family caught it early are are fine). I shed my soft cast but keep it handy :) And I'm simply a cook that enjoys good food ... posted recipes are seasonal favorites that sustain me as does my garden, camera, and, most of all, family and friends ... all wonderous gifts!

beckie said...

Joey, I love those sundrops. They are new to me, but oh how pretty. And of course the wild geraniums are simple gorgeous. All of your photos bring out the best in the flowers. I have been wanting to try a white bean salad as something different for cookouts. This sounds delicious!

Femin Susan said...

These gardens are stunning, just beautiful. Thanks

joey said...

Thank you for visiting, Femin Susan. Always a joy to meet new friends. Your site is lovely!

joey said...

Hi Beckie! I adore these super cutie Sundrops, similar to Evening Primrose (much shorter), but very different in that their flowers close up at night. They look much like dandelions in early spring so often weeded :( They require little care and provide a wonderful display of bright yellow, morning wake-up flowers. This is one of many bean salads that I make ... I love them all ... perfect for picnics.

Anonymous said...

My neighbor just offered me some Sundrops. I'll get them in the Spring when they first start to come up. They are so buttery.

I need to get motivated to cook again. I've been in a slump lately and eating out too much. All the food is starting to taste the same. Nothing like home cooked meals to heal what ails you. Right?

Shady Gardener said...

Your Sundrop/primroses are beautiful. I have something similar... they are quite prolific. I love their early Spring growth... little rosebuds of green/burgundy leaves.

Gail said...

Joey, Lovely flowers my dear, in fact a perfect trio. Ox-Eye Daisies are just sweet, I like them so much better then Shastas...they bloom in the shadier parts of the garden and that's perfect. Have a great week. gail

Brenda Pruitt said...

Pretty in pink. And yellow! Love my yellow!
Brenda

marmee said...

you must have the most blooms of anybody...so many different kinds.
i am fond of the geraniums. that one in the middle of your collage is amazing.
hope you are well my friend, joey.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Joey, your photos are wonderful. Love the geranium with the pink petal veins. The Blake quote is both lovely and sad or maybe it's just my mood today.
Marnie

Nutty Gnome said...

Gorgeous photos Joey - I really must get round to getting some ox- eye daisies!
....and that recipe, well - I'm off to see if I've got any salmon fillets in the freezer for tomorrow night's tea!

joey said...

Do hope your taste buds return, dear Anna ... I think too much on one's plate diminishes the appetite! I owe you a note ... a crazy weekend and another heavy week ahead.

Hope you're having a great week also, Gail. It's crazy/busy here as in most June homes and gardens ... I meet myself coming and going back & forth from home to lake. Can't believe June is 1/2 over ...

My evening primose have just begun, Shady, and are lovely but much too prolific and perhaps the flowers you are referring to!

Love yellow also, Brenda ... another thing we share :)

Hi Marmee ... thank you so very much. You're a dear! I'm having a hard time visiting blogs lately with my 'twirling' life :)

Perhaps it's the weather, Marnie ... rain is on the way, a gift for my garden but not my barometric pressure surging sinus headaches!

Thanks Nutty ... do hope you found the salmon! I must eat salmon at least once a week and why I share so many salmon recipes ...