Dinner inspiration… the struggle is real. You’d think that as a food blogger, I cook something new and exciting for dinner every night. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just ask my husband. I have a regular rotation that I cycle through. Some of my tried and true favourites include Chipotle Lime Chicken, Maple Pecan Salmon, Charred Broccoli and Israeli Couscous Salad, and Cauliflower and Cheddar Stuffed Potatoes
On days when I have a photo shoot, the kitchen looks like a tornado went through it. The food has been thoroughly manhandled by me trying to get it to look just right for the photo. It has been sprayed with oil for shine, pinned with T pins to hold things in place and sprinkled so heavily with flaky sea salt and coarsely ground black pepper for texture, that it is no longer appetizing. On those days, dinner is fried eggs topped with tomatoes and Gruyere cheese.
I love it when friends invite me to dinner. I get new ideas about what to cook, plus, salad always taste better when someone else makes it. On New Years Day we went to visit our friends The Grizzlies. Mrs. Grizzly whipped up this spiced salmon for lunch. Garam masala, smoked paprika and cumin combine for a flavourful rub.
The spices are mixed with honey, olive oil and lemon juice and the salmon is roasted for about 15 minutes. I threw some broccolini on the sheet pan as well. Cauliflower or Brussels sprouts would also be delicious.
Mrs Grizzly served this with a cilantro salsa, but I had a surplus of pomegranates wilting in the fridge, so I whipped up a pomegranate yogurt raita sauce. Really fresh and yummy with the spiced salmon. I think I’ll be adding this salmon dish to our regular dinner rotation.
Leave me a comment and let me know what’s on rotation in your kitchen. I’m curious!
Beautiful salmon, and I love the twist on Raita. Believe it or not, I have no rotation. Pretty much everything I make I’ve never made before, if I’m using a recipe. Or else I’m just using what’s in the fridge. About the only thing I’m consistent about is making a meat loaf for my husband when I leave town. It’s something he can easily heat up in the microwave for himself, because he has no cooking skills. Right now there is a braciole in the fridge, a spicy tortilla soup, some grilled chicken that my husband puts in tortillas, and Mu Shu pork. I know. I’m crazy.
Hi Mimi, I think I might like to move in with you for a while. Dinner sounds amazing at your house!!
I am in awe of you and those who comment here. My husband forgot he was a really good cook the moment we got married almost 40 years ago! Years ago, I was vegetarian for awhile. It was just too difficult with a husband and then kids who weren’t vegetarian. So I started eating chicken again. We ate a LOT of chicken in a wide variety of recipes for years. Now it’s just the two of us, and I am vegetarian again. Our regular rotation involves a lot of of Trader Joe’s prepared chicken for my husband and roasted veggies with cheese, tofu, and/or beans for the two of us. The only time I really cook anymore is when my kids come for dinner! Then there are three vegetarians, one flexitarian, and two carnivores in the house. I do bake a lot. Does that count? p.s. I LOVE Raita and will definitely be trying your pomegranate variation.
Thanks Wendy! When my husband and I first met, he was actually a better cook than I was. I believe that he has also forgotten how to cook. I can only imagine what you end up cooking when everyone comes home! It’s a challenge.
Baking a lot counts for everything!
Hope you enjoy the POM raita.
Raita looks wonderful–a must try! I like to make several South African spice rubs that we use for salmon, chicken and grilled burgers (although i rarely eat meat).
No rotations here. According to dear husband, my style is “never before, never again.” Not strictly true but I like to vary ingredients etc., mainly based on what happens to be in the fridge.
An occasional home fast-food favourite is tortillas stuffed with grilled veg and grated cheese of choice, or sauted poultry or lean steak, using freshly made tortilla wraps from Lone Star, w mixed rice, canned beans and fresh salsa. Obviously I’m not a gourmet cook!!
Thanks Vivian. I love the idea of having jars of rubs at the ready to make everything taste better. I never thought of buying tortillas from Lone Star. Brilliant idea.