In February of this year Vanesther at Bangers & Mash started a new food blogging challenge ‘Recipes for Life’ to help out a charity that operates just down the road from her.
The SWALLOW charity, Vanesther says, “supports adults with learning disabilities to lead more independent lives. It runs a wide range of programmes for its members, empowering them with the skills and experiences to live their lives to the full, from therapeutic art courses and drama groups to domestic and work-based training.”
“As part of its Fit for Life programme, SWALLOW runs cookery courses, helping members learn to prepare simple, inexpensive and nutritious meals. SWALLOW is looking for new recipes for its members to cook on the course, and ultimately to include in its cookbook, that don’t require a lengthy list of ingredients and aren’t incredibly complicated to make.”
Each month Vanesther gives us three ingredients to work with to come up with a recipe. This month those ingredients are salmon, pasta and courgettes.
I may be biased, but I think Shetland produces the best salmon out there. I’ve used local salmon in this dish, but I’m sure it would be lovely with whatever local produce you have available. I’m quite pleased at how well this dish turned out, seeing as how I had an idea in my mind it came out the way I intended. The courgette ribbons make this meal look like a quite sophisticated dish and it really only requires a minimum of effort. A cheese slice makes short work of cutting the courgette into the required size, I’ve discovered. The whole meal only takes half an hour to make, start to finish.
My partner commented that he would have happily paid a great deal of money to be served this meal in a restaurant. I might have been a little bit chuffed. 🙂
I’ve also sent this recipe over to Karen at Lavender and Lovage for her Cooking with Herbs food blogging challenge (previously known as Herbs on Saturday), a challenge I have been entering nearly every month since I started food blogging back in December 2011!
- 2 Shetland salmon fillets
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 50 ml white wine
- 2 large courgettes
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 100 grams orzo pasta
- 25 grams grana padano cheese
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: Serves 2
Adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Loves bikes. Calls Shetland home.
Anna Johnston says
Love the sound of this recipe, pretty much love salmon in all it’s forms but the addition of courgette ribbons is terrific. I’ve been playing around quite a bit with courgette ribbons in place of pasta with some recipes of late, it’s a great way to use up the glut when they are in season & a plenty. Thanks for sharing.
David Clarke says
This look so delicious & mouthwatering also well-balance & blend. 😛
Ursula Hunt says
This salmon looks so moist, the wrong way of cooking can dry it out too much
Ursula Hunt says
Great recipe I love salmon and it is always nice to have another recipe
Natally says
Great spring dish, I’m trying to east fish at least once a week
Maya Russell says
I don’t like the consistency of baked courgette, but I love baked salmon.
Paul Wilson says
I love a nice bit of salmon.
Heather Haigh says
What a pretty dish. I do love salmon. I hadn’t heard of orzo pasta before – but I would have to use something gluten free anyway.
Tracy Nixon says
Another great recipe thanks!
Paul Wilson says
Looks amazing.
Heather Haigh says
I love making vegetable ribbons – they look so pretty. This looks and sounds lovely.
glenn hutton says
I do not eat enough fish tbh and this loos delicious and not too hard to make!
Elizabeth says
I don’t eat as much fish as I should either (you’ll notice this recipe section isn’t as full as, say, the cake section!) 🙂
glenn hutton says
This looks amazing and very, very tasty!
mousemac says
Just tried this and loved it. Thank you for a new combination, and excellent guidance. Sorry to have deleted my first post, just wanted to add that I used *no* salt at all. Not even in the pasta. That recipe for life just got even healthier!
mousemac says
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helen says
I’m not keen on salmon but you do make that look lovely!
Karen S Booth says
You are my MOST loyal and dedicated entrant Elizabeth and I always look forward to see what you have to tempt me when I come over! This, is JUST amazing – you KNOW how much I LOVE fish and salmon, Scottish salmon, is my favourite. BEAUTIFUL photos too, a stunning wee entry thanks! Karen
bangermashchat says
This dish looks pretty as a pictures and absolutely delicious too. I always love your cooking and this dish doesn’t disappoint. Another lovely entry for the Recipes for Life challenge. Thank you!