Tag: dinner

Smoked Salmon Tartare

tartare 2Today’s recipe is something I quickly made yesterday because I had no intention of hanging out in the kitchen for too long — it was HOT! The temps are passing the 30s here in the Netherlands, and as much as I love warm weather, I am not a fan of cooking elaborate meals in the heat (with the exception of a roast chicken once in a while, but how elaborate is that?).
It was late in the afternoon, and I had no idea what to serve for dinner, so I made a quick dash to my local supermarket. When I spotted two thick, beautifu smoked salmon fillets, I immediately knew what I would make — salmon tartare! A light, refreshing dish with tons of flavor! With a salad, some bread and a cold soup (I’ll be posting the recipe here tomorrow), it was the perfect dinner to end a steamy summer day! PS: I used ring molds to serve the tartare, but you can also serve it with toast or little boats made from Belgian endive. Enjoy!

Smoked Salmon Tartare
Serves 4

  • juice of 1 small lemon
  • 1 ½ tbsps good olive oil
  • ½ tsp Dijon mustard
  • 3 tbsps chopped chives
  • fleur de sel
  • freshly cracked pepper
  • ¼ cucumber, finely diced
  • 400g smoked salmon fillets, diced
  • crème fraîche, thinly sliced lemon & microgreens, to serve

In a medium bowl, whisk the lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper to make a vinaigrette. Stir in the chopped chives, cucumber and salmon. Mix well and refrigerate for at least an hour. When ready to serve, use a ring mold to form the individual tartares. Top each one with a little crème fraîche and garnish with lemon, a scattering of microgreens and a good grinding of pepper.

Crème Fraîche Roast Chicken

Roast chickenFirst of all, happy 2016! After a few days’ break, I really managed to recharge my batteries and am now looking forward to whatever this new year brings — hopefully many good things!
Today was the first day back to work/school for my family and I, and I must admit that it was somewhat difficult. No more waking up at 10:30, or lazy brunches and wine and nibbles as a midday snack (instead of the usual green tea and fruit, which I’m having as I write this blog), no more overindulging and claiming that calories don’t count during the holidays. All good things must come to an end, which makes me think of a Dr. Seuss quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
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Four Cheese Quiche with Red Onions & Mustard

cheese quicheOK, I know. I posted a quiche recipe just last week, but honestly, is there really such a thing as ‘too much quiche’? Exactly. Quiche is one of those versatile dishes that looks pretty, tastes great and is perfect for a million and one different occasions. You can have quiche for lunch or dinner (although why not for breakfast or brunch?), take it along on a picnic, bring it to a potluck or to a neighbor or friend in need of a little TLC, and it makes great leftovers. The variations are pretty much endless. I actually can’t think of a single ingredient that won’t go well in a quiche. Have you ever had an escargot quiche, for example? Looks and sounds like heaven to me!
Quiche is also the perfect answer to a busy weeknight and a fridge full of bits and pieces that need to be used up.
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Disaster…. and a Sweet Potato, Chives & Goat’s Cheese Quiche

quicheWell, my closet (it’s a walk-in and I only did my side) is finally tidy! And not only that — I’ve also organized my makeup (modeling lipsticks in front of the mirror as I went along; gosh, it will never really work between MAC and I), washed all my brushes, dusted the high heels I really should wear more often, and put away the summer dresses.
The only thing I really didn’t do was everything else I was supposed to, with the exception of a menu translation this morning… before disaster struck. What happened, you ask? Internet died completely. (more…)