Salmon Crunch Bowls

For Christmas this year Mom & Dad got me the cookbook What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking from Caroline Chambers, which is a pretty great title for a cookbook.  Everything looks so great in the book, but these Salmon Crunch Bowls are so far the star {we've made them 3 times since Christmas and are making them again this week}.  They're super easy to put together, have great flavor, and that sriracha mayo is not to be missed.  It's been a great way to update our weekly salmon and will be on heavy rotation until we're sick of it {which I don't anticipate being anytime soon}.  Enjoy!

Salmon Crunch Bowls

Ingredients

2 Tblsp butter

4 salmon fillets

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 Tblsp soy sauce

1-2 Tblsp sriracha

2 Tblsp sesame oil

1 Tblsp maple syrup {or brown sugar}

1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs

3 Tblsp sesame seeds

for sriracha mayo

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 Tblsp sriracha {plus more as desired}

1 lime

Salt

Rice, for serving

Crunchy veggies for topping {purple cabbage, cucumber, carrot, peanuts, etc}

Instructions

1.  Preheat oven to 400.  Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Place salmon on prepared sheet.  Sprinkle with 1 tsp salt, garlic powder, and ginger, then rub with soy sauce, sriracha, 1 Tblsp sesame oil, and maple syrup.

3. In medium bowl, melt butter in microwave for 20 seconds.  Add remaining 1 Tblsp sesame oil, panko, sesame seeds, and salt.  Stir until combined

4. Spread panko mixture over salmon fillets.  Bake for 15-18 minutes until salmon is cooked through.

5. Meanwhile, make sriracha mayo by stirring together sriracha and mayo in small bowl.  Halve lime and juice 1 half into mixture {save remaining half to squeeze over bowls}.  Season with small pinch of salt.  

6. Serve salmon over rice, topped with favorite veggies and sriracha mayo.

Serves 4

adapted from what to cook when you don't feel like cooking

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Ginger Garlic Shrimp with Coconut Milk

A few weeks back I was looking for something new and easy to make for a weeknight dinner and stumbled upon the New York Time's Ginger Garlic Shrimp with Coconut Milk that looked like it would be easy peasy to put together.  I marinated the shrimp in the afternoon so the flavors could really get absorbed and instead of adding the chiles at the end as a topping, I cooked them with the shrimp and coconut milk to soften them and give it a bit more flavor {highly recommend doing this}.  It was a super simple and yummy weeknight meal that I'll definitely be making again!

Ginger Garlic Shrimp with Coconut Milk

Ingredients

2 large garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp ginger, minced

1 tsp ground turmeric

salt & pepper

1 Tblsp olive oil

1 lb large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed

2 Tblsp vegetable oil

1-14oz can full fat coconut milk

1 Tblsp soy sauce

3 cups packed baby spinach

Juice of 1 lime

1 fresno, jalapeno or serrano chile, thinly sliced {I used a jalapeno but could've used 2}

2 green onions, white and light green parts thinly sliced

1/2 cup packed cilantro leaves, roughly chopped

Steamed rice or vermicelli noodles for serving

Instructions

1. In mixing bowl, combine garlic, ginger, turmeric, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and olive oil.  Add shrimp, mix well, and place in refrigerator until it's time to use.

2. Heat vegetable oil in large skillet over medium high heat.  Add shrimp in even layer and cook about 2 minutes.  Pour in coconut milk and soy sauce and add jalapeno, stir to combine and turn shrimp. Raise heat to high to simmer and cook until liquid thickens slightly and shrimp are about cooked through, about 3 minutes.

3. Add spinach and stir in batches until wilted.

4. Remove from heat and squeeze juice from the lime.  Top with green onions and cilantro and serve over rice or noodles.

Serves 4

adapted from nyt cooking

xoxo,

stephanie marie

March Date Night {The Walrus & The Carpenter}

March's date night took us to our favorite place, The Walrus & The Carpenter.  We haven't been in quite some time {mainly because it has gotten so, so expensive} but last week we decided to treat ourselves to a fancy Tuesday date night just cuz {also, March is a great time for oysters}.  We were seated right away {perks of going early on a weeknight} and after ordering some drinks immediately ordered 2 of each oyster on the menu, savoring each one and ordering more of our 2 favorites for another round.  We supplemented our oyster feast with Ben's Bread and whipped butter {that butter......}, fried brussels sprouts, albacore crudo with orange, kumquat and aleppo, and of course, the steak tartare {which, alas, gets smaller and more expensive every year we go}.  Regardless of our lighter wallets at the end of the evening, it was worth it to splurge at our fave place that is consistently delicious every single visit.  I'm not opposed to paying for amazing food, and Walrus never disappoints :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Pacific Inn Pub

A few weeks ago Christian had a craving for fish and chips so we decided to head over to the Pacific Inn Pub and try out "the best in Seattle".  Neither of us had actually ever eaten there {we'd only been for beers while waiting for dinner at The Whale Wins across the street} but ever since we saw Anthony Bourdain go on his tour of Seattle it's been on our list to try.  We got there fairly early on a Saturday and were able to snag a booth in the corner and after ordering some refreshing beers we got the fish sandwich with tots{me} and the fish & chips {him}.  While I'm not sure it was the absolute best ever, it definitely hit the spot for some Saturday night pub food and was a cozy local spot to try out on a rainy and cold evening.

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Shrimp Stir Fry

Before I get into all of the fun of the last few weeks, I wanted to share this recipe I made for a Healthy Shrimp Stir Fry from Maxi's Kitchen on Instagram a few weeks back in case you're like me and really struggling with what to cook lately {I just want to eat tomato and mayo sandwiches all day every day}.  This meal came together super quick and had really yummy flavors - perfect for a delicious weeknight meal where you can really use up whatever veggies you have in the fridge.  I'll definitely be making this one again for the fresh summer flavors and you should do the same!

Healthy Shrimp Stir Fry

Ingredients

for the sauce

1 tsp green onions, sliced small

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp ginger, minced

2 Tblsp soy sauce

2 tsp sesame oil

3/4 cup water

2 Tblsp cornstarch

1-2 Tblsp Chili Garlic Sauce {optional}

for the shrimp

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined {can use chicken too}

1+1/2 tsp cornstarch

1 Tblsp white wine or water

1/2 tsp kosher salt

for the stir fry

3 tsp olive oil, divided

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tblsp ginger, minced

1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and diced large

1 yellow or orange bell pepper, seeds removed and diced large

1 onion, diced large

1 zucchini, sliced in half moons

1 Tblsp distilled white vinegar {or rice vinegar}

3 green onions, minced

White rice, for serving

Instructions

1. Mix together all sauce ingredients and set aside.

2. Mix shrimp with cornstarch, wine, and salt, and marinate in fridge for 15-30 minutes {I did this while chopping my veggies and preparing the rice}.

3. In a wok or large pan preheated over medium high heat, add 1 tsp oil with shrimp.  Cook until golden brown on each side {just about 1-2 minutes each} and cooked through.  Remove and set aside.

4. Add 2 tsp oil to pan along with ginger and garlic, cooking until fragrant {about 2 minutes}.  Add onion, season with salt & pepper, and stir fry about 2 more minutes.  Add bell peppers and zucchini.

5. Sprinkle with more salt & pepper and stir fry until veggies are to your desired tenderness, about 10 minutes.  Add back in shrimp.

6. Stir sauce with a spoon to re-mix and pour onto stir fry.  Turn up heat and stir fry until sauce thickens and coats veggies and shrimp.  Turn off heat and stir in vinegar and scallions.  Adjust seasoning if needed.

7. Serve over white rice.

Serves 3

xoxo,

stephanie marie

RockCreek Happy Hour

I've been craving oysters and since we're getting into that time where they aren't all that safe to eat {they say you should only eat oysters in months that have an "r"} we decided to make Sunday night a date night and head to RockCreek for happy hour.  We got there right when they opened at 4pm {happy hour is only offered in their small bar area} and immediately ordered some yummy cocktails to get things started.  Everything on the menu looked delicious so we got one of almost everything {including a dozen happy hour oysters} and plate after plate were soooooo good that it's hard to pick what was my favorite.  We could've kept ordering but since it was rainy and yucky outside we decided to head home and cozy up for the rest of the evening.  I love a spontaneous date night and even better when the food is delicious and the company even better :)

spicy margarita + old fashioned

a dozen happy hour oysters

hamachi crudo

mussels bruschetta with saffron aioli, garlic confit, and dill

oysters "brock-a-fella"

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Walrus & The Carpenter {Birthday Dinner}

Happy Friday!  Taking a break from honeymoon posts to share Christian's bday dinner earlier this week at the one and only The Walrus & The Carpenter!  It's a bit of a splurge but so worth it for those delicious oysters {this is the perfect time of year for them}, yummy veggies, and of course, the steak tartare {also of note - the most delicious Old Fashioned I've had maybe ever}.  I'm pretty sure the birthday boy had an excellent time at his favorite spot - I love getting to celebrate him and go out for a fun weeknight date!  But now, cheers to the weekend!

albacore crudo with brown butter vinaigrette, fried capers, cauliflower, and pearl onions + the best bread and butter in town

the yummiest grilled leeks with bagna cauda & parmesan

steak tartare

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Date Night {The Walrus & The Carpenter}

Christian and I have a bad habit of promising each other celebration dinners and never following through, so after several job changes and a pretty big engagement over the last several years, we finally decided to take each other out to The Walrus & The Carpenter for date night on Saturday and celebrate all of the things.  We got to Ballard early and wandered around, then at 3:45 decided to head over to the restaurant where a large line was already forming down the hall.  Luckily we were able to snag some bar seats when they opened at 4 and immediately ordered yummy cocktails to start.  Since we hadn't had oysters in forever {years maybe} we decided to get 2 each of the 9 they had on the menu for the day, and each one tasted better than the last, reminding me how a good oyster may just be the perfect bite.  After savoring our oysters, we rounded out the meal with a halibut crudo {probably our fave dish of the night}, charred asparagus, and of course, their steak tartare which is hands down the best I've ever had.  I love the atmosphere of sitting at the bar at Walrus, watching the staff shuck oysters and prep the food, sipping on a cold drink and taking in the most beautiful and bright colors, and even though it's been 3+ years since our last visit here, it's even better than ever.  I'm so happy we finally got to celebrate all of the things {and yes, the bill at the end was totally worth it} and I can't wait to go back for the next celebration!

halibut crudo with ginger creme fraiche, daikon, green garlic puree and oyster mushrooms

charred asparagus with soft egg and harissa hollandaise

steak tartare

driving home next to a rainbow

xoxo,

stephanie marie