I'm Back! Salmon with Pistachio Green Bean Salsa

Denver was lovely.  I got to see some old friends and they encouraged me that even though I say I don't like beer, I should try some local Colorado brew.  I had a humongous mug of Buttface Lager and it was quite tasty.  Not sure if it was ACTUALLY tasty, or if I liked it just because of the name.  Neither here nor there, I guess.


So, I say that I love to travel, and this is true.  Well, partially true.  I love to BE places.  What I do not love is GOING places.  The process of getting to all the places I want to go leaves a lot to be desired and try as I might, I cannot let these annoyances roll off my back.  I KNOW there is nothing I can do about most of these atrocities, and I should just read my Kindle and mind my own business but it has proved to be physically impossible for someone like me.  I feel like people purposely do things in the airport and on a plane that they KNOW makes my blood boil.  Completely irrational?  Yes.  Still something I genuinely believe?  You betcha.

So if there is ever a chance that you are going to encounter me in an airport or on a plane, please remember these little nuggets of wisdom.

1) When going through security, YES, you have to take your shoes off.  And your belt.  Because you know why?  Shoes are not allowed and belt buckles are usually made of metal.  So if you try to go through with your shoes or your belt, you are going to get yelled at or set off the metal detector and get sent back to the screening area to try again and do it right.  And that means I have to stand there and wait for you to figure out how to follow simple directions and that makes me mad.  These have been the rules for years, people. 

2) I promise, PROMISE that the plane isn't going to leave without you once you're at the gate.  Thus, its unnecessary for you to crowd around the boarding area with your boarding pass that clearly states SEATING AREA 4.  That means that you get to board AFTER seating areas 1, 2, and 3.  So get out of my way or I'll step on your toes with my stilettos.  I  know you want to get on early enough so there's still overhead space, but you have to wait your turn.  We learned that in kindergarten.

3) When walking through the airport with your friends or family (or travel companions you don't even like), your choices are to A) walk faster, or B) refrain from walking together and forming the world's slowest human chain.  You may not be in a hurry, but some people are and its hard to walk around you when there are 12 of you.  Move it or lose it, folks.

4) Its bad enough that your suitcase is too big for the overhead and you have to turn it sideways to make it fit, thus taking up the space for TWO suitcases.  But for real - you can't put your laptop bag AND your purse in there, too.  Amazingly, you're not the only person on the plane who has bags that need to go into the overhead.  Follow the insistent directions of the flight attendants and put your small bag under the seat in front of you.  There's a reason they built space in there.  Sharing is caring. 

5) After the plane parks at the gate, it takes them awhile to open the door.  Crowding the aisle to "get in line" to get off the plane and putting your butt in my face is annoying and isn't going to get you anywhere any faster.  Chill out and stay put until its your turn to exit.

6) Nobody cares about how super important your job is.  Using obnoxious business catch phrases at top volume on the plane is annoying.  Inside voices only.  And your catastrophic work-related issue probably isn't that important anyway.  No one is impressed so turn it down a notch.

Alright, that's about all I can think of for now.  Its actually making me nervous about my trip to Miami on Thursday, because I KNOW I will encounter most of these things and I'll be forced to sigh inwardly and roll my eyes in the mature way only I can master.


Anywho, I'm glad to be home and back in the kitchen.  Eating on the road isn't very healthy and I would feel awkward taking pictures of my room service meals.

My husband was a little apprehensive about the "green bean salsa" portion of last night's meal, but I think we were both pleasantly surprised.  Enjoy!

Pan-Fried Salmon with California Pistachio and Green Bean Salsa
Source: Cooksrecipes.com

 

For Salsa:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 small red onion, finely diced
1 red pepper, de-seeded and finely diced
1 green chile, de-seeded and finely chopped
3 1/2 ounces unsalted, shelled California Pistachios, chopped
7 ounces green beans, halved
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

For Salmon:
4 salmon fillets, weighing about 175g (6 oz) each
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lime, for accompaniment

To make the salsa, heat the oil in a frying pan and stir in the garlic, onion, red pepper, chile and nuts and cook over a low heat. Meanwhile, cook the beans in boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes, drain and add to the salsa with the seasoning. Stir in the parsley.

Wash and wipe the salmon fillets with kitchen paper. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and cook the salmon for 4 minutes. Turn and cook for a further 4 minutes, until just cooked through. Serve the salmon with the salsa and a squeeze of the lime.

Goat Cheese Smashed Potatoes
Source: Inspired by Rachael Ray

1/2 pound red new potatoes
1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
1/4 cup low fat onion and chive cream cheese
few splashes of skim milk
salt and pepper to taste

Cut large potatoes in half so all pieces are a uniform size.  Boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender.  Drain, and return to hot pot.  Add milk, goat cheese, cream cheese, and salt and pepper.  Smash with potato smasher or large fork, mixing well but leaving some chunks.