Sesame Glazed Salmon

So if you remember a post from last summer, I had a family of caterpillars who enjoyed eating my cilantro and parsley and somehow they found my new place! I felt so guilty to move them, so I cut what I needed and let them enjoy their parsley in peace.

This is a spin on a previous recipe I posted last summer Here. These noodles are so light their great for a summer day (especially when your air conditioning isn't working!!) The salmon is quick to prepare so you can have dinner in minutes!

Cold Sesame Noodles
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 green onions, sliced
1/2 bunch parsley
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 head broccoli, cut and blanched
1 lb whole wheat spaghetti (I have also used Somen noodles, and they are excellent too.)


-For the Sauce-
1/2 cup sesame oil
2/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
4 tbsp black vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp samba olek


Cook noodles, rinse and drain. Mix up sauce and save 4 tbsp for salmon. Combine 1/2 of sauce with noodles and veggies and pop in the fridge to cool. Toss remaining sauce with noodles before serving. Top with salmon and enjoy!


Obviously this is a big batch of noodles, but now I have lunch all week! Sometimes I top with grilled steak or shrimp.


Sesame Glazed Salmon
4 oz salmon filet
4 tbsp of sesame vinaigrette 


Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush salmon with 2 tbsp of sauce and bake for 8 minutes, brushing with sauce half way through. 

Labor Day Weekend pt 1

I spent the weekend in Hutch, celebrating a friend's birthday and kicking off my birthday week with the family. The weekend started off with my friend's birthday party in which I supplied the cupcakes. I will say that her dad's pulled pork was the favorite in my book! 

Cupcakes for Marla's party! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARLA!!!

Since I was sooooo good last week I decided to fall off the wagon! I had lunch with Seth, Kristin and her mom Shelly at Roy's Hickory Pit BBQ. I have not been to Roy's in probably 10 years. (OMG I can't believe I'm old enough to say something like that!)

 When I was little, I remember going with my dad and while I didn't remember the food, I remembered the smell. Oh yes, the smell of barbeque, its the kind of smell that sticks with you. This smell of hickory lingers with you, and  when you are out in public, people know where you've been! The line was already at the door when we arrived, so we hopped in it.  Roy's is a simple BBQ joint, but they mean business, they have 3, maybe 4 employees. They have all the usual suspects, ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and sausage They do go conservative on the sides, with each meal you get beans and their "salad" bar which has an assortment of pickled items and slaw. 

Since I couldn't decide, I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with hot sausage. 

 Their sauce is smoky with a little spice and it is one of my favorites! Oh yeah, did I mention that your meat is cut to order and all 3 employees are in the same room as you? I {almost} love that I can see them prepare my meal! I say almost because as I waited in line, I watched them toast the bread and lets just say they don't skimp on the butter.....


Whoa, back to reality, sorry I was drooling over that photo! 


Part 2 will follow with Nancy's Chicken Fried Steak!!

Restaurant Review Beignets!

The past 2 weeks have been crazy! August is my busiest month at work so I'm lucky if I am home before 8. I was able to sneak out of Lawrence this weekend to spend time with a few friends in KC and checked out a new restaurant in the Crossroads.

Nica's 320 boasts itself as southern fusion with menu items like build your own mac & cheese and omelets as big as your face served on focaccia. They also have beignets! While I know all about the beignet, this was my first time trying one! The beignets arrived just how I imagined, stacked high covered in powdered sugar, and when I say covered, I mean covered! There was a mountain of powdered sugar!

We ordered the original, but they also feature filled signets like chocolate truffle and brie & berry! They were crunchy, chewy, messy and delicious! I ordered the Caramel Pecan Praline pancakes and OMG they were good. Nica's pancakes are cornbread pancakes and mine were topped with a caramel pecan praline sauce. It tasted like salted caramels! I sure had a sweet tooth that morning, I felt like I had desert for breakfast!

Sarah is finally finished with her boards! More social time and less studying! Huzzah!

Happy Bastille Day! Le quatorze juillet!

In honor of Bastille Day (July 14) here are 3 links to my favorite French things!


1.The French Daiquiri! This refreshing cocktail is great for these hot Kansas summers!



2.French Macarons from Bloom Bakery in KC, MO


They have a crunchy shell and a soft inside. Bloom's macarons come in flavors like Strawberry Basil and Lavender and they are delish!

3.Sale on French items at Au Marché!
Au Marché is the European Food Market in Lawrence which carries many French items, such as l'Occitaine,Ameline mustards, madeleines & more!


Apprécier!

Minnesota Beer Tour : Bell's Two Hearted Ale

As most of my friends know, I love microbrews so I love trying new beers when I travel. I also love bringing them home when I can! While I was in Minnesota last week I tried a couple of local beers and I made my own 6-pack based on the recommendations by locals.

Beer #1: Two Hearted Ale by Bell's Brewery, located in Comstock, MI

I first tried this beer white in MN and loved it, so much so, I brought home a six pack! Its a very hoppy beer but still light making this IPA a new fav. It has a subtle floral note that I can't put my finger on. I'm sad that I only have 5 more left!

Bell's has 8 beers available year round, 15 seasonal and 17 specialty beers and i'm sure they are all great. After perusing their website, I discovered that Bell's is distributed in KCMO so be on the lookout at KC liquor stores!