Salmon and Corn Chowder

Salmon and Corn Chowder | Delicacious

Are there days where you just crave a bowl of hot soup for dinner? I do so occasionally, especially on cold, rainy days. Or sometimes, it’s just me being lazy and trying to figure out a quick fix for dinner. Whatever your reason for wanting soup for dinner, this salmon and corn chowder is sure to satisfy.  It is hearty, healthy (I use low fat milk instead of cream), and tasty, and goes perfectly with biscuits or soft dinner rolls. Serve this with my bacon, parmesan and scallion scones and you will definitely have very happy people at the dinner table.

My little one came into the room while I was typing this post, saw the photo and exclaimed, “Oh I remember this soup! It’s full of corn, mushrooms and fish. It’s yummy! I like it.” There you go. Even two and a half year olds like it. I am sure you would too.

Salmon and Corn Chowder
 
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 stalks celery, cut into ½-inch slices
  • 1 medium potato, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • ¼ cup of chopped scallions
  • 1½ cups corn kernels
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup low fat milk
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • ½ tsp dried dill
  • 500g boneless salmon fillets, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • salt and pepper
  • cornstarch and water for thickening (optional)
Instructions
  1. Heat the olive oil in a soup pot or dutch oven over a medium flame.
  2. Sauteed celery and potato for about five minutes.
  3. Stir in corn, scallions and stock.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce flame to low and simmer covered for 12 - 15 minutes.
  5. Stir in milk and lemon zest.
  6. Add salmon and simmer for 3 - 5 minutes.
  7. Stir in lemon juice.
  8. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  9. Thicken with cornstarch water if preferred.
  10. Serve hot.
Notes
Adapted from Epicurious

I’m sharing this post at some of these blogs here.

Steamed Garlic Prawns

steamed garlic prawns 2

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sweet sour meatballs

The June Daring Cooks’ challenge sure kept us rolling – meatballs, that is! Shelley from C Mom Cook and Ruth from The Crafts of Mommyhood challenged us to try meatballs from around the world and to create our own meatball meal celebrating a culture or cuisine of our own choice.Continue Reading

Salmon En Croute

I had to attend a course last Monday and mom was coming over for dinner in the evening. There wasn’t much time to prepare an elaborate meal, and so I thought that this would be perfect, seeing that mom enjoys salmon. I used ready made puff pastry in this case. It simply is not worth the effort to make your own puff pastry, I think. Perhaps if I had alot of extra time at my disposal, I just might be crazy enough to try it one day. Till then, I think Pampas is good enough.

For this dish, I added some mushrooms for extra flavour. If you do not like mushrooms, or would like to do without the hassle, you can omit them. I served my salmon en croute with some salad by the side.

salmonencroute

salmonencroute

Recipe (serves 4):

750g salmon fillet, boneless
400g puff pastry block
300g asparagus
150g brown swiss mushrooms, diced
1 small red onion, chopped
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 small sprig of thyme
3 tbsp freshly chopped dill
zest of one lemon
salt and pepper, to taste
1 egg, beaten (for glazing)

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 230°C.
  2. Melt butter in a small frying pan. Add chopped onions and fry till translucent.
  3. Add thyme and diced mushrooms. Fry over medium fire till mushrooms are soft, and the liquid has evaporated.
  4. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the thyme sprig. Set aside.
  5. Remove the bottom 1/3 of the asparagus stalks.
  6. Blanch the asparagus in boiling water till soft. Upon removal from boiling water, place them in cold water immediately.
  7. Using a blender, or food processor, puree the asparagus stalks. If necessary, add a tablespoon or two of water.
  8. Add whipping cream, chopped dill and lemon zest to the puree. Blend and season with salt and pepper.
  9. Remove the skin of the salmon. Prepare the salmon by cutting it into 4 equal parts. Season both sides of the fillet with salt and pepper.
  10. Roll out the puff pastry and separate it into 8 sections.
  11. On one rectangular piece of puff pastry, place one portion of mushrooms in the centre, topped by the salmon fillet and finally the asparagus puree.
  12. Place another piece of puff pastry over this, and seal the sides by pressing down on it.
  13. Repeat for the other 3 servings.
  14. Brush with eggwash and place it on a tray lined with baking paper.
  15. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the top of the pastry is golden brown.