Can you guys believe it? No cheese today. What’s going on? I mean, I did not even add parmesan to the potatoes. Although, that would be pretty stinkin’ good.
So even though this meal may be cheeseless, I still love it. I guess I swapped the cheese for the bourbon today. And bourbon on a Thursday? Yeah, it’s still a good idea.
With things being so busy lately, I have been in need of super quick cooking, hands off meals. Normally, I just make tacos, pizza or some kind of stir fry. OR my specialty…which is basically all the leftovers in the fridge mixed with whatever grain I have on hand (normally rice) and then topped with lots of cheese and baked until melted goodness. The boys think it is totally disgusting and will not even try it, but I have actually grown to really love these “throw everything in” meals. I often top them with fried eggs though, so this may be why I love them. Last week though I actually bought fresh salmon for the first time since probably July. I just haven’t been feeling like fish as much lately, but then I had the idea for a bourbon glazed salmon and suddenly my fish aversion was gone! The glaze just seemed so fall like, and then of course the chutney really made things perfect for November. If Thanksgiving was not all about the turkey, I would totally make this Salmon instead.
Here is the deal with this meal. It’s super simple and literally just some bourbon, soy sauce and orange juice simmered down with maple syrup. It’s not weird or unusual, just simple, quick and good. Since I am me, I couldn’t just leave the salmon to hang out all alone, so a chutney was made. And wow, I am now a huge chutney fan. The cranberries are SO good when paired with a few fall spices and a little brown sugar. The brown sugar is a MUST, without it the cranberries taste way too tart and well, not good at all. Cranberries are one of the only fruits that I think has to have sugar added to them. Some people only need a little sugar with their cranberries and some people need A LOT. I think I am somewhere in the middle, but use a little or as much brown sugar as your taste requires. Oh, if you want your house to smell like Thanksgiving, make this chutney. It’s the best smell.
AND it’s also the perfect meal for busy “holiday season” nights. And yes, I do consider November the start of the Holiday season. Plus, it’s actually pretty healthy. SCORE!
Random little side note here, my windows arrive today! This means aside from the doors, the barn will be all enclosed come Monday. The doors are on their way, so soon enough the barn will all be sealed up. Things are looking more home like down there!! YEAH! Oh, I almost forgot the potatoes. They truly are the simplest thing ever. You just need a decent amount of sea salt, a little olive oil and rosemary. Then just roast away. It’s a classic, but again, so good. I think I need to make more classics, I mean, there is a reason why they are called classics. There is so much texture that goes along with these potatoes. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. Pretty much the best thing ever. PLUS, aren’t those tiny little potatoes the cutest? I love them!
And now that we ate so healthy today, that leaves us room for butter tomorrow, right??
