Easy Sauteed Salmon and Veggies. And a Cantore Story!

You guys.  Remember my post about the weather?  And how I mentioned my secret crush (I guess its not so secret any more!!!) on Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel and how I used to watch his Tropical Updates religiously when I was younger?

Turns out that my brother and sister-in-law's neighbor works for The Weather Channel.  And since my blog is so awesome (or so they tell me), my sister in law sent it to her neighbor who got a kick out of the weather post and had her husband (who's the one who actually works at The Weather Channel) show it to Jim (I think we're on a first name basis now.  Read below and you'll agree). 

Well, Jim seemed to get a kick out of it too, because he autographed a photograph of himself in a hurricane and wrote me a little personal note.  It says, "Ann, Thanks for Watching :-)" and then he signed it Jim Cantore with a little picture of a hurricane.  Swoon!!

My brother and sister in law wrapped it up (along with some other Weather Channel paraphernalia) for me for Christmas and it was the best present EVER (well, except for my iPad, but I'm sure Jim understands how awesome an iPad is).  I laughed so hard I cried.  And then I framed the picture and sleep with it under my pillow every night. 

What??  Totally kidding about that part.  I swear I'm not a lunatic.  I just really like The Weather Channel and its fearless on-air personalities.

ANYWAY, thanks Jim!  I love my picture and Weather Channel lunch box!

Now!  On to cooking.  This meal was super easy but it was so delicious and healthy, I decided to bless the interwebs with its presence.  And I also decided to tell you all about a little secret called Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt (can be found here).  So good!  I'm sure you can mix all the spices yourself (if you knew what they were), but I like Jane and I think you should get a can.  So, do that.

Sauteed Veggies with Garlic Butter
Source: my own, inspired by the Franklin Inn, Richmond, VA
(serves 2)

Small handful green beans (about 15 or so, trimmed)
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced into strips
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
10 mushrooms (I used baby portabellas), sliced
1 small zucchini, cut into matchsticks
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt
splash of dry white wine
splash of soy sauce
1 pat butter, unsalted

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium/medium high heat.  Add green beans first, stirring for a few minutes to coat.  Add the garlic and the rest of the veggies and saute for several minutes until soft.  Add white wine, soy sauce, and mixed up salt, stir, and cook for another couple of minutes.  Add butter and toss to melt.  Serve immediately with the salmon.


Pan Fried Salmon with Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt
Source: Jane, I guess

2 filets salmon, skin removed
2 tablespoons butter
1 tsp garlic salt
fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt

Heat butter in a skillet over medium high heat.  Sprinkle garlic powder, pepper, and mixed up salt on the salmon filets (both sides), and press down to adhere.  Add salmon to the pan and sear on both sides.  Then allow to cook additional 3-4 minutes or until fork tender.  Don't overcook or it will become dry.  A little medium-rare salmon never hurt anyone.

Enjoy!