SALMON: A RECIPE FOR ROMANCE

One thing I’ve learned as a guy who cooks is that a great way to steam things up in the love life department is to heat things up in the kitchen. If you assume the woman is the chief cook in the household then you probably haven’t dined at Casa Barton. My wife comes sniffing around the kitchen for romance.

… The quick and mostly foolproof romantic method to help both of us be healthier is tasty, moist salmon. If you overcook your fish a bit and it gets dry, you can add olive oil to restore the moisture. I like to sprinkle a bit of salt, pepper, paprika and garlic to my salmon before putting it into the oven at about 425-degrees. It should be ready to serve in 10-12 minutes. Drizzle some lemon juice and sprinkle capers for extra deliciousness. This flavorful fish is loaded with goodness. Those long chained omega-3 fatty acids also help reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure. Salmon is full of high-quality protein and B vitamins needed for energy production and protecting heart and brain health. This fish also has plenty of potassium, which helps prevent excess fluid retention, and contains selenium, a mineral involved in protecting bone health, and reducing the risk of cancer.

I usually steam broccoli to go along with our salmon, as the taste and texture of the vegetable compliments the fish and provides its own set of nutrients. Carrots or squash are also a great accompaniment. My wife and I like to shop for fresh produce at Savannah's Brighter Day Health Food Store, down the street from our home.

Much has been written about the differences between wild-caught salmon and farm-raised salmon. Another benefit of salmon is that it doesn’t taste “fishy” like other fatty fish, such as mackerel and sardines. It has a unique, delicate flavor that can be incorporated into many recipes in the kitchen. Salmon can be broiled, steamed, sautéed, smoked, grilled, baked or poached. It can also be served raw in sushi and sashimi. If I’ve got a choice, I’ll go with wild-caught, but won’t turn up my nose at farm-raised, which has the added benefits of being less expensive and just as tasty, in my opinion. 

I like to keep our punch bowl full of green tea with cucumber slices. It's the perfect accompaniment to the salmon. If we have any left over it refrigerates.

The combination of salmon and any greens (spinach or asparagus are two other options) provides a powerhouse of a healthy meal that will tickle your wife’s taste buds and keep her coming back for the cook’s kisses.