Salmon

One of the many, many reasons we are so fortunate to live in Alaska is access to wild Alaskan salmon.  In Fort Yukon and Circle, we were very spoiled with fresh Yukon River Kings.  Now that we’re in Fairbanks, we have been getting our fish from the Copper River.  Brian has gone to Chitina for the past two years to dip net for Reds (Sockeye).  Not as much flavor (oil & fat) as the kings, but still amazingly better than anything you’ll get in the store.  So, throughout the year, we have a ready supply of fish for meals.  I really don’t know what we would do to replace that in our diet if we were to move out of Alaska because we eat it literally once a week.

I made some broiled salmon last night and decided to make some Salmon Chowder with the leftovers.  I was looking online for a recipe for Garlic Cheese Biscuits to go with it, and while online I found that a friend had posted on her Facebook a comment about G.C. Biscuits.  How timely!  We had a quick exchange and I said that I would type up my chowder recipe for her.

Before I post it here, let me throw out a few disclaimers.  1.  I do not follow recipes well… I cook by pretty much throwing things together and adjusting as I go along.  That makes it hard to write down what I did when someone asks.  2.  This is no gourmet meal… I am a budget cook who uses what I have in my pantry and freezer.  If you happen to make it and have some ideas for me, let me know!

That being said:

Stephanie’s Salmon Chowder

3 Tbls Butter
1/2 onion diced
1 carrot diced
1 Tbls minced garlic
2 cups chicken broth
2-3 cups potato diced (usually 3 medium potatoes)
10 oz corn (one small frozen bag)
2 -3 cups leftover salmon
2 cups milk
1 tsp. oregano
salt and pepper to taste
thicken with flour & water mixture.

Saute the onions, carrot, and garlic in butter until the onion is transparent.
Pour in chicken broth and add potatoes and corn.  Bring to boil and then cook for 10 minutes.  Add salmon, milk, and seasonings, bring back to boil and then add flour mixture to thicken.  Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

You could use a can of creamed corn instead of frozen corn.  I just always have corn in the freezer, so it’s on-hand.  You could also use canned salmon, but it won’t taste as good (unless maybe you’re using your own jarred salmon from this year’s catch).

Published in:  on November 8, 2009 at 8:55 pm Comments (2)
Tags: , , ,

Turkey

I pulled the turkey out of the freezer late Monday night and let it thaw until today. When Toby and Sarah were napping, I prepared it for roasting tomorrow with Jacob watching and asking many, many questions.

Here’s how I did it this year.

First, I rinse the turkey fully – inside and out. I pull out the bits and pieces of organs left inside and rub off the remaining feathers on the outside.

Jacob wanted to know all about the feathers and look at everything I pulled out. He asked about the heart and wanted to see it, so I pulled it out of the organ “sack” and we talked about the heart and then Sarah’s heart.

Second, I separated the skin from the muscle on the breast, legs, and thighs. Then, rubbed seasoning between the layers.

Jacob wanted to know where the bones were. We talked about muscle, skin, and bones. I showed him on his arm where his muscles are and compared it to the turkey. We talked about how we eat the muscle of a turkey and we call it meat.

Third, I stab the breast and thighs with a small knife and put about a teaspoon of butter deep into each hole. This is something that I do every time I make turkey. It’s certainly not healthy, but it makes a GOOOOOD turkey!

Jacob watched intently, asked what I was doing. I said that I was making it taste good and that seemed to be enough of an answer for him.

Finally, I rubbed olive oil and seasonings on the outside of the skin.

My hands were a mess at this point and my sleeves kept falling down. Jacob was a big help in pushing them back up. At one point, he noticed it before I asked him and he said “Mommy, I think you need my help.”

As I was cleaning up, Jacob had questions about the neck. I explained that there was bone inside and it was much like his backbone. He wanted to see the bones. Do you know how hard it is to dig out a neck bone from an uncooked piece of meat?

Tomorrow at 5 AM, I will put it in the oven and let it cook for the next seven hours. We are eating at a friend’s house tomorrow, though, so it will be torture to smell it cooking and then during the transport. I wonder who will snitch a piece first.

Published in:  on November 26, 2008 at 9:25 pm Comments (1)
Tags: ,

Food for thought

I was watching a friend’s children today while she and her husband are out of town. They have three boys – eight, three, and almost two, so they are great playmates for Jacob and Toby.

Hot dogs seemed like the fastest, easiest lunch for five boys. So, as I was plating it up for everyone the eight year old asked “Is this ketchup organic?” I said “No, it’s regular,” then chuckled lightly to myself and thought – We’re eating HOT DOGS! Does it reallymatter if the ketchup is organic???

He did not know that it was a funny question, but it sure cracked me up.

——————-

In case you’re interested, here’s the whale patch that Jacob wore on his jeans today. There were a hit!

Jacob's jeans with the whale patch that I cut out and ironed on over a hole.

Jacob's jeans with the whale patch that I cut out and ironed on over a hole.

Published in:  on November 17, 2008 at 10:30 pm Comments (2)
Tags: , , ,

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Toby had his second birthday today.   We celebrated it on Saturday when Brian was in town for the weekend.  I happened to have some zucchini in the fridge that needed to be used, so I went online and looked up recipes that called for zucchini.  I came across Chocolate Zucchini Cake and it had great reviews.  So, since most of the family likes chocolate cake, that’s what I decided to make.  

It was a really easy recipe and the cake turned out very moist and chocolaty!  I don’t think anyone would know unless I told them.  The chocolate hides the green specks that appear in zucchini bread.  I didn’t tell Jamiee – hee hee hee!!

So, now I’m eating way too much cake and telling myself that “hey, it’s healthy!”…  it’s like saying that brownies and cookies are good for breakfast since they’re made with eggs.  It’s a good thing we have company coming over tomorrow morning.  I’m going to make sure they polish it off so that I don’t!!!

Published in:  on August 27, 2008 at 7:02 am Leave a Comment
Tags: , ,