Pan Seared Salmon

291.  Fresh salmon fillets pan seared in a light panko crumb with fresh parsley.  A dash of lemon squeezed across the top and served sizzling hot on your plate.

This method is a process that makes for quick preparation along with boiled potatoes tossed with butter and fresh dill weed chopped and boiled carrots.  It's light, tasteful, very satisfying.

Purchase several pounds of fresh salmon.  You can be sure your fish is fresh if there is no smell to your fish and it is wet not filmy slimy.

Rinse the salmon, patting dry with paper towels. Cut into steaks. 

prepare an egg wash in a shallow bowl.  In a separate shallow bowl place 1 cup panko bread crumbs, salt and pepper, garlic salt, tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 tsp lemon zest.

Heat a skillet with olive oil till sizzling.  Dip each top and bottom of salmon pieces in the egg wash then in the panko breading.  Place coated salmon in hot pan skin side down.  Saute on medium heat till you begin to see the dark pink turn light.

Immediately place under high broiler till crumbs have toasted and center is light pink.

Plate immediately and serve with complimentary sides.  Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

"Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant??  I'm halfway through my fish burger and I realize, Oh my...I could be eating a slow learner."
~Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973)

Pan Fried Eggplant

228. This summer my eggplants are growing so beautifully with the great rainfall, hot sunny days and warm nights.

I chose two beautiful little eggplants and decided to prepare them for dinner. I was craving eggplant because I saw the new winner of Food Network Star make an Eggplant Parm Sandwich for one of his challenges. While watching, I picked up a few great hints and wanted to try them.

Now, my favorite wasn't chosen but I'm ok with the winner, Jeff Mauro. He's likable and grew on me while I watched this final show. I'm even happier that Penny didn't make it to the end...'nuf said!

Jeff peeled his eggplant and salted the rounds before deep frying. I rarely do this because I personally like the skin and density of the eggplant.

But I was surprised how nicely the salt drew out bitterness and ultimately brought the sweetness out of the eggplant. I also used panko bread crumbs to coat the rounds.

The end result was beautiful. Eggplant was tender and the crust was crispy.

I paired it with pasta and homemade sauce.

So enjoyable!

Pan Fried Eggplant

2 small or 1 large eggplant, peel and slice, lay out on rack and sprinkle both sides with salt

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1/4 cup flour

1/4 garlic salt

kosher salt

pepper

1 egg

water

flour

oil

Mix panko crumbs, flour, garlic salt, salt and pepper. In separate bowl mix together egg and water and beat till blended. With a paper towel, lightly press the eggplant to absorb liquid on the eggplant. Dip each round in flour, then in egg mixture, then in panko crumb mixture and place in hot oiled pan. Saute' each side till toasted brown then flip and continue. Remove to paper towel and keep hot in the oven till you serve.

Each slice was tasty and tender.

You could make a parmesan and layer the rounds in a casserole dish then cover with tomato sauce and cheese. Bake in the oven 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. When I do this, I do not pan fry the eggplant till tender but allow the oven to complete the cooking process.

"Mauro may pronounce 'Illinois' with an 's', but that doesn't make him less of a Chicagoan."

~Examiner.com