Given the number of cooking shows and contests flooding the media, you would think a culinary degree with a specialization in exotic spices is required to make an eye-pleasing, delicious yet quick and healthy meal. Not so.
As much as I enjoy watching the cooking shows and chefs with engaging personalities, sometimes the recipes offered are overly complicated, time-consuming and costly. Even the "quick meals" they often touted have way too may steps or ingredients. It can take the fun out of cooking and enjoying the meal, which is counter to A Single Table's purpose.
All you really need is curiosity, a willingness to experiment and an appreciation for good food. Some of the most satisfying meals I've eaten also have been the simplest to make with common (items found in most cupboards) ingredients and a few steps.
So today I offer this salmon salad with dried cranberries and a fruit bowl. This meal contains the flavors, textures and items I like.
On the plate:
Pan-fried (in olive oil) salmon steaks
Romaine lettuce
Dried cranberries
Sliced almonds
All the items purchased at the Dollar Tree store except for the lettuce, which I got from a local grocer.
In the bowl:
1 sliced banana
2 sliced strawberries (mine were extras from a previous dessert I made)
One memorable meal within 30 minutes for pennies. Yeah!
