& a recipe

Well Bonjour Spring ! & lovely mossy back garden + panko crusted salmon, asparagus with almonds & feta & oven fries

Leisure is only possible when we are at one with ourselves. We tend to overwork as a means of self-escape, as a way of trying to justify our existence …
Joseph Pieper

One of my most favourite leisure activities is cooking. I love to boldly, persistently experiment in my kitchen ;-)

Panko Crusted Salmon (serves 2)

1 large salmon fillet sliced in 2
2-3 tbsp dijon mustard
1-2 tsp honey (or to taste)
1/2 cup panko crumbs*
salt, pepper
1 tbsp butter
dried or fresh dill

Preheat oven to 425. Mix dijon & honey together and slather liberally on all flesh sides of salmon. Mix dill, salt & pepper (I used a lemon pepper blend) with panko crumbs then dredge/press crumbs onto salmon. Cut butter into 6 little smidges and place 3 down each top side of salmon fillet. Place skin side down in an oiled pie plate/pan. Bake at 425 15-20 minutes depending on size of fillet. Finish with squeeze of fresh lemon.

Asparagus with Almonds & Feta

1 bundle of asparagus (ends snapped off & stalks cut in half)
1 tbsp of canola/coconut oil
1/4 cup thinly sliced almonds
1 fat clove garlic
1/4 cup Feta cheese (or a little less)

Heat oil in a high sided large pan (I use a wok) 'til quite hot. Add asparagus, stir fry a minute or so. Add almonds & garlic, stir fry another minute or so. Taste a piece of asparagus for preferred doneness (we like ours quite crunchy). Add Feta stir just to melt cheese. Finish with a good squeeze of fresh lemon.

Oven Fries (the best !)

2-3 large potatoes (sliced into fries)
1-2 tbsp olive oil
garlic powder, salt & pepper

Toss everything well in a large bowl. Arrange fries spaciously on two pizza pans. Bake for 10 mins oven temp. 425. Take out flip fries dust with a little more seasoning pop back into the oven for another 5-10 minutes or until golden & crispy.

* look for Panko crumbs in the Asian section of your grocery store or make your own