Not Your Average Salmon

No, that's not barbecue sauce you're seeing on the salmon. It's something much better. This is a loose adaptation of Korean salmon bulgogi. I got the idea from Closet Cooking's website, but I didn't have all the ingredients. So, I decided to change it up a little. The result was a spicy salmon that made my mouth sing. If you're tired of the everyday salmon recipes, I suggest you give this one a try.

Salmon Bulgogi

1/2 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
1/4 c. sugar
2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
2 Tbsp. mirin
salmon fillets

Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a pot and add the salmon fillets. Boil for 30 min. or so until the salmon is cooked through.

Note: You may want to add more sugar if you wish or a little water if it's too salty for your taste. You can also double the sauce as needed depending on how much fish you're cooking.

I'm a Believer

I admit, this picture won't win any awards. What can I say, I'm a baker, not a photographer. But, these brownies definitely could win. They're called "The Best Cocoa Brownies" by Alice Medrich and are absolutely deserving of that title.

I've been wanting to make this recipe for quite a while now, especially since I've read so many rave reviews about it on numerous blogs. However, what with finals, moving to another state, and studying for a BIG exam that's coming up, there just hadn't been much time. But, since I volunteered to bring a dessert for my ward's Break the Fast activity after church tomorrow, I figured there's no time like the present.

This recipe starts off with melting butter in a double boiler, then adding sugar and cocoa powder to form a warm chocolaty bowl of pure heaven. That chocolate goo alone is irresistible. You'll be hard pressed to continue on past that step, but use all your will power to press on because the result is even better. You then let the mixture cool for a while before adding the eggs. After all, the last thing you want is scrambled egg brownies. Once it's cooled down a little, you add the eggs, then the rest of the ingredients and pour it all into a pan. Word to the wise, if you're using foil to line your pan, make sure you grease it, or that you use non-stick foil. Believe me, you'll know why you should if you don't do it. Then, bake it all up and prepare to be wowed.

I put mine in the fridge to cool them down faster. That, as well as a knife dipped in warm water, made them easier to slice. Then, I took a taste. And another. And another. They were *small* tastes. The brownies were to die for. Crackly tops, and perfectly rich, fudgy middles. One is definitely enough to satisfy even the largest chocolate craving. I will never use a box mix again! These are ten times, a hundred times better and just as easy and quick to make with ingredients that I'm sure you have in your kitchen right at this moment. Plus, there's no need to go out and buy a block of expensive chocolate to melt down for the batter. Nope, these are that fudgy from cocoa powder alone. Who could have ever thought such a miracle was possible? Not I. But, as my post title says, "I'm a believer now." And if you make these, you will be too.

Best Cocoa Brownies (from Smitten Kitchen and Alice Mendrich's Bittersweet)

10 Tbsp. butter
1 1/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. + 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder (any brand is fine)
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 c. flour
chocolate chips or nuts (optional - trust me, these brownies can stand alone)

Preheat oven to 325F. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper or non-stick foil.

Melt the butter in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Add the sugar and stir till combined. Add the cocoa powder. Take off the heat and let cool slightly until it is no longer hot. Add the vanilla. Add the eggs and stir vigorously. When the batter looks shiny and well-blended, add the flour and stir till you cannot see it any longer, then beat vigorously for 40 strokes with a wooden spoon (I didn't really count). Add chocolate chips or nuts, if using. Spread in the pan.

Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 25-30 min. Let cool completely on a rack (but I threw mine in the fridge to cool them down faster). Slice into 16 squares.

Sweet Sour Chicken

Can you tell that I have a lot of chicken in my freezer? Just call this super-quick dinner #3. Again, it's a one-pot, no mess, no fuss kind of meal. It's for that specific reason that we used to eat this a lot when I was a kid. At the time, all I could say was, "What, sweet sour chicken again?" But, things change when you get older and you realize just how much you appreciate those recipes of convenience. So much so that I find myself making this fairly often whenever I have chicken to use up. What do you know? I've turned into my mother.

But, all joking aside, I know you'll love this recipe as much as I've always loved it (*ahem* come to love it, that is). It's perfect with rice and a scoop of macaroni salad (so I'll include the recipe for that as well). Enjoy!

Sweet Sour Chicken

1 1/4 lb. chicken thighs or boneless, skinless chicken tenders (frozen is fine)
1 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. vinegar
1/4 c. water
1/4 c. soy sauce
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. ginger powder
cornstarch to thicken

Combine all the ingredients except the cornstarch in a pot. Let it come to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and let it simmer for 20-30 min. until cooked through. Mix a little cornstarch with water and add to the sauce to thicken to your liking.

Macaroni Salad

1/2 lb. macaroni
2 hard-boiled eggs
onion, chopped
mayonnaise
pickle relish
salt, pepper (to taste)

Cook the macaroni. Put it into a bowl. Grate the hard-boiled eggs and add to the macaroni. Add the chopped onion. Add enough mayonnaise to coat everything and add pickle relish, salt, and pepper to your liking. Stir to combine. Refrigerate until chilled.