HERBED IRANIAN RICE

Growing up we lived next door to an Iranian family.  My mother fell in love with the cuisine, and encouraged our neighbours to show her how to make Iranian food.  One of the lovely rice dishes she still makes to this day is laced with green onions and herbs.  It was the perfect accompaniment to the organic salmon we broiled.

HERBED IRANIAN RICE

1 cup basmati rice

1 1/2 cups water

1/4 cup organic fresh dill, minced

1/4 cup organic fresh parsley, chopped

3 organic green onions, sliced

1 Tbsp organic salted butter

1 tsp sea salt

Method:  Rinse the rice in a sieve until it runs clear.  Let the rice soak in the water for at least 30 minutes in the pot you will be cooking it in.  Then bring the water to a boil, add herbs, salt and butter, cover with a lid, lower the heat to very low and let steam for about 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.  Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

Salmon Heaven

What an exciting discovery at the fish counter at Superstore.  Fresh organic atlantic salmon! Once again this fish is farmed in Ireland, but this one is good.....so very, very good.  And not cheap.  $19.99 a pound which for 3 fillets was $25.  But so worth it.

ROASTED SALMON with Spicy Cauliflower

I adapted this one right outta Martha Stewart's Everyday Food mag.  

4 organic garlic cloves

2-4 anchovy fillets

1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

sea salt and pepper

2 Tbsp e.v olive oil

2 Tbsp anchovy oil (from the can) or olive oil

1 head organic cauliflower, cored and cut into large florets

2 organic atlantic salmon fillets

Method:  Preheat oven to 450*.  In a mortar and pestle, smush the garlic, anchovies and red pepper.  Then generously season with salt.  In a large bowl toss the paste, and oils with the cauliflower to coat.  Spread in a large cast iron skillet and roast until the cauliflower starts to soften, about 15 minutes.  

     Season salmon with salt and pepper.  Remove cauliflower from oven, pushing the florets to one side and place fillets in the centre.  Return to oven and bake until fish is opaque, about 15 minutes.  

GOLDEN RICE with Raisins, Cashews and Clove

This rice is unbelievably fantastic.

1 Tbsp organic butter

1 organic onion, chopped

1 cup basmati rice, rinsed

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp organic turmeric

1 organic bay leaf

2 organic cloves

2 cups water

1/3 cup organic raisins

1 handful organic cashews 

Method:  Saute onion and cloves in butter until the onion is soft.  Add the turmeric, salt, bay leaf and water.  Bring to a boil, then cover pan with a lid, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes.  Add raisins, cover again and cook another 5 minutes.  Remove from heat, let sit 5 minutes, stir in cashews and serve.