Fun Playing With Salmon & the First Fruits of the 2015 Gardening Season

Due to Bob's ongoing medical issues, it doesn't look like we will have a garden this year. So, we are making up for it my availing ourselves of the abundance at area farmers' markets, and so far, 2015 looks to be a great year to support your local farmer!

We've also been eating a lot of Alaskan salmon since the season started at the end of May. Copper River Season is almost over! We've been able to score the real deal, sold so fresh it doesn't need anything but a little salt and pepper and a light rub of EVOO before cooking, at Kate's Fish (West Side Market), Mister Brisket, and BayLobsters Fish Market and Cafe (Twinsburg). But we've also enjoyed other Alaskan salmon (from these same three purveyors) that has also made us very happy this spring.

Alaskan King Salmon from Mister Brisket

Alaskan Salmon from Mister Brisket,  Asparagus Risotto

Same fish, same day, but wanted to show you the Asparagus Risotto I made.

Salmon Salad, On the Rise Bakery roll

The above salmon became salmon salad a few days later, here is it served on a roll from On the Rise Bakery.

First Copper River Salmon

Seasoned with a tear for my late friend Dominic Cerino, who introduced Cleveland to Copper River Salmon, and who passed away two years to the day we cooked this. 

Served up with Ohio City Pasta Beet Pappardelle and Grilled FM Asparagus.

The leftovers from this salmon specimen and other OCP leftover pasta became a tasty salmon-pasta salad dinner.

Pretty sure this Copper River Sockeye also came from Mister Brisket. Served here with Ohio City Pasta, FM Asparagus, and homemade Guacamole.

Our most recent Copper River Sockeye came from BayLobsters in Twinsburg. Last night, we served it grilled, with grilled Farmers' Market potatoes, the last of this season's Farmers' Market asparagus (grilled) and grilled garlic scapes from our backyard. On the side, local lettuce topped with grilled Black Velvet Apricots brushed with butter, and a splash of exquisite aged Balsamic. 

I hope this little post encourages you to go out and play with Alaskan Salmon and local produce while the playing is good. We've been to three Farmers' Markets so far this spring, and we've had no problem getting anything we wanted at North Union Farmers' Markets at Shaker Square and Chagrin Falls, and the Geauga Fresh Market. 

More Fun Playing with Ohio City Pasta, Kate's Fish and Copper River Salmon

And so, when we last left Cleveland Ohio (which trip was that - three in six weeks!), I had collected my second installment of my prize from Ohio City Pasta at Cleveland's West Side Market.

I apologize - so much time has passed that I'm not sure which pasta was which! Above was  garlic and chive pasta, I'm pretty sure. Below, something yummy, but I don't recall which.

On this trip to the West Side Market, we scored some beautiful sweet peppers and asparagus from The Basketeria.

Add in some scapes from our garden, and fun food was within our grasp. The only thing missing was the protein. Thanks to Kate's Fish and Cordova Alaska's own Bill Webber, that problem was brilliantly solved by Copper River Sockeye salmon!

Saturday night dinner - cast iron seared salmon with caramelized red onions and dill, sauteed asparagus and peppers, and Ohio City Pasta with Ohio City Roasted Red Pepper Sauce!

The second night, I was too lazy for cast iron and used the All-Clad, and I added some wonderful garden scapes to the mix!









Ah yes, and some pesto Bob found in the fridge, which I'd made for a salmon dinner a short time ago. It was still most tasty.

And so, we continue to have fun playing with our Ohio City Pasta prize, as well as delights from the sea as delivered by Kate's Fish! Oh - and a new variety of smokie at Czuchraj's - Honey-Hot Smokies!,

Damn, I love these things! The West Side Market = Fun, Fun, Fun! Add in Ohio City Pasta, Kate's Fish, Basketeria and Czuchraj Meats and you will have some of the finest food Cleveland can offer to play with.