I was successful at finishing the blanket I was crocheting for youngest son, and it has been handed over.
What a relief it is to have that done. I have a report that he is enjoying it, and loves that I made it extra long. I forgot to measure its final length, but I know it was over 72 inches at one point. Maybe its finished size is closer to 80 inches. It's also a tad wider than normal. My guys like big blankets.
I can't believe I'm toying with the idea of starting another blanket project. I have so many to choose from in my pattern files. Or maybe I should do something small. Something that will provide a quick finish. That would be super satisfying after not crocheting for so long.
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Some might remember I was making it a goal of mine to get salmon cooking down to something approximating perfection. Well, tonight was my second (or was it third?) chance, and while I probably cooked it a little too long still, I have discovered a way of cooking it that makes me very happy.
Pan searing. And I used a newly acquired cast iron skillet. Hey! That's a new thing! Shoot. Why didn't I take a picture of the salmon in the pan?!?
Anyway... the Pan Seared Salmon recipe is really this simple:
Allow filets to warm to room temperature (for more even cooking). Generously salt and pepper salmon filets. Don't be ridiculous, but don't be afraid of the salt. And use fresh ground pepper if you can.
Heat olive or avocado oil in pan over med-high heat. When hot, add salmon filets skin side down. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side. ETA: I've recently read to let the salmon cook until the sides are looking cooked and the top beginning to look less translucent. This should make the filets about 90% cooked. Then flip the fish and cook and turn off the heat. Let the residual heat from the burner and hot pan finish cooking the salmon. This may take another 3 minutes. Squeeze the salmon filets and if they flake a bit, it done. This makes a nice crispy crust - even if it's not obvious in the picture below. Squeeze some lemon fresh lemon juice on top and serve with favorite sides. The lemon juice is not a suggestion. It's a must, in my opinion.
I made sauteed shredded brussels sprouts again, and asparagus. If I could just get confident about not cooking salmon a minute or two too long, I think it might just be perfect - and I'd be really happy to serve this to company. ETA: I've recently learned that cooking salmon to medium rare is okay, and this will keep it from getting too dry.
I'm getting there...
So... my new things:
I'm learning to cook with a cast iron skillet. Getting comfortable with things like not washing it after every cooking. I've had to scrub it a couple of times when I let something burn in it, but otherwise, I just scrap out any food, and wipe it down with a paper towel and once the oils have had some time to soak in, store 'till next time.
The grass is turning green, and lots of things are starting to grow outside. Hopefully, soon it will be pretty enough to take some pictures. Quite a few new to me plants I'll be able to count as new things I think.
On that note, I'm hoping we didn't ruin an asparagus crop by cutting down the ferns in late fall, and not mulching it over the winter. I keep checking and haven't seen any new growth yet. We had a very mild winter (not much sustained bitter cold as I recall), so I'm hanging onto hope that we'll be seeing spears popping through the ground soon. I just have no idea when that's supposed to happen in central Indiana. I just checked a last-frost date calculator, and I see our last frost date this year is estimated to be April 18th. Hmmm... that's my birthday. The emergence of asparagus would make a nice birthday surprise!
That's all for now. Later, Gators!
10 new things in 2022
The blanket is beautiful well done on the finish, it's quite striking I bet your son loves it. I always have to have a blanket on the go and I make smaller things along with it. My crochet class is making hexagons and granny squares so it's easy enough to hook up a few squares or hexagons now and then I have no idea when we will have enough for a blanket but there's no hurry. The salmon dish looks yummy I'm afraid I'm very boring when I make mine, I just sit it on a bed of sliced lemon, season then lemon slices on the top and parcel it up in foil, then steam it along with my veg. I hope your asparagus starts shooting soon. xx
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't sound boring. It sounds delicious! I'm afraid if I sealed up my salmon where I couldn't see it, I'd cook it waaaaay too long. I'm wondering, though... Does steaming it prevent it from over cooking (or from drying out if overcooked a tad)? Lemon really does put a zing in salmon, I'm discovering.
DeleteThat's exactly how I like salmon, too. Also in cast iron. I also bake in it. I think I use my cast iron pans more than anything, just love it. That meal looks great.
ReplyDeleteAs does that enormous blanket! What a project
I haven't baked in my pan, yet, but that's what I especially love about it - that I can take it from stove top to oven if wanted. Looking forward to making cornbread in it one of these days. My pan is only 10 inches. I wouldn't mind a 12-inch one now, but I do wonder how much heavier it would be. I find the 10-inch one challenging to lift and turn (like when draining oil). Or maybe that's my weak hand. Either way, it's a challenge.
DeleteThat blanket is wonderful. I am sure that your son enjoys it. One blogging friend of mine does one baby blanket after the next to use up her stash and keep her hands busy. I once had an asparagus patch that I killed by using those ferns they produce for bouquets. 🥴
ReplyDeleteI love making small blankets - and yes, they are a great stash buster. In the past I've made and accumulated them to donate to a crisis pregnancy center, but when they stopped taking blankets a few years ago, it took some effort to find another place that would want them. A foster closet happily took the 10 or so I had at that point. Ever since then (and ever since mine was the 6th and last baby blanket received at the baby shower 5 years ago) I've been less inclined to just make bunches of them. Makes me sad because I dearly love making the little blankets.
DeleteBeautiful work on the blanket! I have a UFO crocheted throw that was intended for my daughter's birthday quite a few years ago. I have come to intensely dislike the pattern over time. It is all one color and -- although I don't like for my grandchildren to use the word "boring" -- that's sort of what it is. Her birthday is in April and there's no way I can complete it by then. But you are inspiring me to continue!
ReplyDeleteI also have a scrap afghan that I started -- mostly hexagons if I remember right. That one is much more interesting. Maybe this summer I can work on more motifs for that.
The salmon looks yummy. I don't own any cast iron pans. We were given a very nice set for our wedding many decades ago. Maybe the pans have changed over time, but I make a lot of tomato based things and a lot of egg based things, and I just got tired of dishes that tasted like metal to me. And pans in which I'd cooked eggs were ridiculously hard to clean. So I just stopped using them. I know that my daughter loves her cast iron cookware. Maybe I should try again.
Oooh, Mrs. T, I understand growing tired of a project. Even my colorful projects I can grown tired of if they take too long to finish.
DeleteI will tell you, I've worked at getting it right when cooking with stainless steel and now cast iron. The cast iron needs to be seasoned, and even though mine came preseasoned, I've learned I need to not scrub off the cooking oil every time I cook. I recently gave it a seriously good scrub (with dish soap) and once it was dry re-seasoned it again (which meant a good oiling and long bake in the oven). I can scramble eggs in it without any serious sticking. And my hubs is incredulous that I can scramble eggs in a stainless steel pan with literally no sticking at all. For me, it's all in the preheating and oiling of the pan. Maybe I'll write a post about that one of these days...
That blanket is gorgeous, and the even though I am not a huge fish fan, that salmon looks tasty.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth. Son picked out the colors. I'm just glad he likes it a year and a half after it was due to be finished. :)
DeleteWow! Beautiful blanket.
ReplyDeleteThank you, May. :)
DeleteThe blanket turned out beautiful. I am sure your son is pleased that his mom made it big enough to actually cover him. The colors are quite striking too. It took my husband several tries before he was able to grill a salmon I actually looked forward to eating. We do it on a cedar plank and it is sooooo yummy. Your way sounds really good too. I like a nice crust on my fish and if it is made with just spices, so much better. How nice it would be to have asparagus growing in your own yard! It is our favorite veggie. When it comes in season at the store we have it a couple of times a week. Sounds like your 'new to me' is moving along quite well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marsha. Your salmon sounds delicious. I do think we need to try grilling it when it warms up here.
DeleteThe blanket is so pretty. I love the color. My mom does this kind of crocheting.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandy. I hope I can continue crocheting as I grow older. It's such a peaceful thing to do.
DeleteThe blanket is very lovely. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThere simply is not a bad way to eat salmon. It is by far my favorite fish. We generally bake ours in the oven with a little pepper and salt, although pan searing it also sounds delicious. At least once we have also rubbed it in salt and baked it - also good, but (not unexpectedly) rather salty.
Thank you, TB! This is the first time I've actually truly enjoyed the salmon I've made. The other attempts haven't been bad, but this crispy crust (cooked in some avocado oil) tipped this over to really good. Even if it was a tad dry - which probably would tip into "failed" in most people's opinion. It's a process.
DeleteWhat a lovely gift of love for your son! Handmade things are the ones that become most treasured, and something made specifically for one person is even better!
ReplyDeleteI like how you're working towards your goal of cooking salmon . . . step by step, improving all the while. It sure looks delicious! I hope your asparagus comes in! I love asparagus, but I know next to nothing about growing it.
Thank you, Cheryl. Yes, when this son asked if I could make him a new afghan (one I made for him many years ago has seen better days), I was excited to make it for him. And then life happened and it just became hard to do. So glad to have it finished finally!
DeleteSo nice to hear from you. Gorgeous blanket!! I slow bake my salmon in a low oven but i will try ur method next time.
ReplyDeleteMary-Anne, it's nice to be participating in YOPing again, though I don't know that I'll have anything else to show anytime soon. Maybe I can pull out a little stitch I haven't worked on in many months... :)
DeleteThat blanket is stunning! I've only made one full one I think ever . . . that's a true accomplishment of endurance and patience! Sadly, I don't like salmon . . . it's one of those foods I truly wish I DID because it's so good for you. Your plate looks yummy though and I will continue to make salmon once in awhile. My hubby loves it. I tolerate it haha!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Lauren. This one just took a ridiculously long time because life kept interrupting my ability to focus on it. So glad to have it completed.
DeleteThe blanket is beautiful and I know your son will love it. If I have read correctly, you have three sons? You have probably shared before, but since I am a relatively new reader, do they live near you? Any of them married? Yes I'm nosy! Thanks for the salmon recipe. I love salmon but my wife is so-so. I buy individual pieces from a company that sells it at the local farmers market and keep it in the freezer. I'll definitely be trying this one.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bob. We do have three sons. None are married, though one has a serious girlfriend. One lives 3 hours away and our oldest and youngest share an apartment about 30 minutes away. Even the close ones we don't see as often as I'd like. As they each left home and lived close enough, I made an effort to have a monthly dinner date with each one singularly. COVID put a crimp in that, but we're starting to be a little more intentional about it again. I don't know if most sons are so independent, but ours (while they are terrific people and sons) are way too content to get on with their lives and let Mom and Dad live theirs. Sometimes I post about them when we've gotten together, but getting all three together has become a challenge because of their disparate work schedules.
DeleteI'm always on the lookout now for a good price on salmon. Though I don't know what a good price is these days since I'd never purchased it until recently. My husband is kind of so-so about it, squeezing tartar sauce on his plate. One of these days I hope he'll learn to like it all by itself. These were very tasty. I think the lemon juice made them zing!
Yum! Both the blanket and the salmon.
ReplyDelete😊 Thanks for stopping by, Alissa.
DeleteHello! That blanket is beautiful!!!! Oh my goodness. And thank you for the salmon recipe! I am always looking for tips! Have a cozy weekend, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Billie Jo! I hope your weekend is cozy too.
DeleteThe blanket is absolutely amazing! I always think a long and wide one is best too. Now I've been putting off buying a cast iron pan, but your success with salmon has put the bug in my cap. I used to have a few pans and donated them after I bought some stainless ones. One of those dumb mistakes! I actually transplanted my asparagus plant this spring! I had to so we could have some work done in the yard right where they were...I'm hoping all went well and they like their new spot in the garden!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debra. Regarding asparagus: in researching how to handle asparagus, my impression was it is a hardy plant and it would have taken more than simple neglect to have destroyed our little patch. I'm thinking my perspective on when it should emerge here may be skewed by seeing it the grocery stores already, and at bargain prices. Considering that these young spears may be from Central America, that would put us in line to maybe see some in our back yard by mid-late April, or early May? I haven't checked in a week, but I'm not giving up hope.
DeleteSuch a beautiful afghan! Reminded me of one I did when our boys were little. It promptly got adopted as the official 'sickie' blankie (if anyone was sick, it was the go-to to snuggle under). When we moved here I offered it to both boys but neither wanted it so it went to the thrift store for someone else to enjoy. The version I made had the ripples but they were divided by rows of granny squares - primarily to cut down on the boredom in the making.
ReplyDeleteWe've toyed with getting a cast iron pan but then we remember that we have a glass top stove and that might not be such a good idea. My arthritic hands will sometimes let go of things unexpectedly and I just know one of those pans and our stove top would be a disaster waiting to happen.
Hope your asparagus survives - I know we cut ours back every year so it should be okay.
I can picture your "sickie" blanket, Mary Anne. I imagine the comfort it gave your kids. 😊
DeleteWhen we had a glass stove top I was afraid to try cooking with a cast iron skillet, but inheriting a gas stove with our new home, I knew it was now or never. I am surprised at how heavy it is, though. My left hand and wrist is not predictable right now, and I understand the concern.
Smoked salmon!!! Camerons stovetop smoker that is fantastic for easily making smoked salmon. HIGHLY recommend. Blankets are great for using up yarn but they sure take too much time!! Doesn't fit my short attention span.
ReplyDeleteSmoked salmon sounds good! Thanks for the suggestion. What I especially like about making blankets is when they have a repetitive pattern that doesn't require a lot of close attention. Sometimes it allows me to think of some things while my hands are busy, and sometimes it totally distracts me from unwelcome thoughts. Either way, the repetitiveness of many blanket patterns can be soothing.
DeleteI want a cast iron skillet; they seem so handy to cook in for most meats. Will you try a dessert in yours too?
ReplyDeleteHmmm... a dessert sounds interesting, though I don't make (and try not to eat) many desserts at this stage in life. I do have visions of cornbread, and maybe other breads at some point. Which reminds me I went all winter without making any Ham & Beans. I need to do something about that soon. How's that for a tangent!
DeleteI am working on my FIRST throw quilt, a ragged edge one. I am not really a sewer but I needed to be around some women to ease the shut in feeling from the brutal winters in Northern Mn. It has helped and they are enjoying helping me learn quilting. I love yours, beautiful blue. Mine is a little bigger than normal because my husband and I are a little cubby. Lovely post, Blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wise Hearted. I hear you on wanting to gather with some women to do some handwork.
DeleteA ragged edged quilt sounds fun! I hope to see some pictures. 🤗
Hi Becki! ☺ The salmon, ooh yum! I don't have a cast iron anything actually...it's on my wish list to at least get ONE cast iron pan!! I should be getting fresh asparagus to harvest in a month or so, I can't wait!! Your blanket looks lovely! ☺
ReplyDeleteHi Rain. Being the chef that you are, I'm surprised you don't have any cast iron. I bought this 10 inch Lodge skillet from Kohl's for around $30.00 (and I think I used Kohl's cash so it was probably much less ;^). I imagine our asparagus is just a little head of you (if we are ahead of you where you are in Canada). It's raining most of this week, but as soon as it dries out a bit I'm getting myself back to the garden area and checking on it again. :)
DeleteThe blanket looks wonderful. We cook salmon fillets on our George Forman grill. We set it to 185°C and cook for 4 mins and that’s it. Your way looks good too but I’m so lazy it’s hard for me to now move away from the GF grill as it’s so easy and quick and the fillets are so moist. I don’t oil it but sometimes sprinkle some fish herb rub stuff on.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz. I'm chuckling over the idea of your laziness, as you are one of the most productive people I enjoy reading. I also think it's funny what we find to be too much effort. I have often thought of getting an inside grill, but the thought of cleaning it seems like it would be too much effort to me. OTOH, taking off the grates and splash guards from my gas stove burners to clean greasy splatter doesn't seem like such a big deal. Before I inherited this gas stove (with the new house) I imagined it would be so much harder to clean that my electric gas top I had grown used to, but I'm not finding that to be the case at all. It's easier to clean. Funny how our perceptions affect our choices.
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