I like to think that most of the dinners that Brandon and I prepare are pretty up there on the delicious scale but the past two nights have been extra special. I love cooking at home and get really excited to try new recipes and ingredients – especially when the results are outstanding! Do not ask me to draw, paint or craft (seriously, don’t!) but put me in the kitchen and I find creativity and passion.
Monday night (July 4th) we decided to stay in and grill. Unfortunately, severe thunder storms put a bit of a damper on outdoor dining buy my all-star grilling husband braved the rain to cook our dinner.
After an afternoon at the pool, we were starving so we had a cheese plate while we worked on dinner (and no, we didn’t eat that entire hunk of cheese…about half!).
I think the reason why this dinner was extra delicious was due to our grocery shopping experience. Brandon was in the mood for steak and I wanted grilled fish. I headed over to the seafood counter and ordered my usual, wild caught Alaskan salmon, when a fish I had never heard of caught my eye. I began chatting with the guy who was helping me (who is always so helpful when I’m there) and he told me it was wild-caught, never frozen kingklip. It was a thick, white fillet that looked similar to grouper. He ended up giving me a free fillet to take home so I could try it. How awesome is that? And Brandon ended up getting a $40 dry-aged ribeye steak for $11. He just happened upon a killer special…his lucky day!
Given its firm texture, I knew the kingklip would do well on the grill. We seasoned it with olive oil and Dizzy Pig Shakin’ the Tree. The result? Awesome! A mild white fish with a great texture similar to grouper or monkfish. I will definitely be on the lookout for this fish in the future. We had grilled purple potatoes and salad on side.
And then this happened…I made an apple crisp. Brandon convinced me that it was completely necessary to make an American dessert like apple crisp on the Fourth of July. Admittedly, I didn’t need much convincing. 😉
Fast forward to tonight’s dinner because it’s possible that it was even more delicious than last night’s.
It all started with two green tomatoes from my brother in law’s garden. Brandon suggested making fried green tomatoes. Now guys, I think it’s pretty clear that I fry things pretty much never but I just couldn’t say no to a fried green tomato BLT.
Toasted sourdough, herb mayo, organic mixed greens, crispy thick cut bacon and fried green tomatoes. YES. I “mmm’d” my way all the way through this one.
Corn on the cob and salad on the side. A perfect summer dinner. And for the sake of honesty and total disclosure…see apple crisp picture above and apply to tonight too. 😛
And now I think this is a good time to revisit my food philosophy. If you’re a regular reader you’ll notice that I have a particular fondness for pizza and ice cream (well, all dessert if we get right down to it). In general, I eat pretty clean. Breakfast and lunch are typically clean and meat-free eats. I love food and enjoy cooking, baking and going out for dinner.
I am very, very active and require a pretty high daily caloric intake. So while I keep it healthy 90% of the time, when I feel like having pizza, ice cream, a glass (or two!) of wine or something like a fried green tomato BLT, I don’t beat myself up about it! This is what works for me and I feel happy, healthy and balanced!
What are some of your favorite “splurge” (a.k.a. ridiculously delicious!) dinners? How do you balance it all out?
