ACCIDENTAL SALMON, RED CABBAGE & SPUDS

"Accidentally Fantastic"
Salmon, Red Cabbage & Potato Dinner

So I have this, some might say, crazy idea that everything happens for a reason...until something catastrophic happens and then I don't believe that at all. Now you might not see the death of an oven as catastrophic, especially if you live in Asia like me and actually hardly ever use one. But for an ang moh who cooks and bakes Western-style an awful lot, it's a friggin' disaster. So, let me tell you what happened. I was pre-heating the oven to receive the batter for an interesting new apple cake. It had reached its optimum temperature of 180C. Just as I was about to open the door, I heard PPFFFFT!!! and then watched, dumbfounded, as the power went out, not only on the oven but also the fridge, the radio, the computer, the TV, the WiFi. That afternoon, nice oven repairman-to-the-rescue told me, scratching his head and looking somewhat bewildered after he attempted, unsuccessfully, to reset it, that he would have to take said oven away and investigate further at the workshop... so to cut a long story short...I had/have no oven. The fault turned out to be a busted fan motor. Happily, the cake was baked at a kind neighbour's but how to roast the salmon and potatoes I had planned for dinner?? I improvised and the final meal (see pic above) was pronounced by my loving and loyal husband as one of the best meals I'd ever cooked. So, maybe after all, everything does happen for a reason??

I still want my oven back though. 😕

SERVES 2

INGREDIENTS

2 slim salmon fillets, skin on

sea salt, ground pepper and dried garlic mix

2 large Desiree potatoes, peeled, halved lengthwise and then halved again

1 tbsp olive oil

50g butter, room temperature

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp pine nuts

3 more tbsp olive oil

I small tin salty Spanish anchovies

1/2 red cabbage, washed, dried and shredded

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

Make a mix of sea salt, freshly ground pepper and some dried garlic and rub this into the salmon fillets. Place them on a plate, cover in cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Bring a pot of salted water to the boil. Add your quartered potatoes and boil for about 15 minutes, making sure they are still firm.

Drain the potatoes, put back in the pot and give them a good shake.

Remove salmon fillets from the fridge.

In a small bowl, mash your butter with the minced garlic

In a frypan that has a cover, add 1 tbsp olive oil along with 2/3 of the garlic butter and place on medium heat.

Gently place your half cooked potatoes into the sizzling fat and fry, turning them until they are lightly browned on all sides.

Add your salmon, skin-side down. Place lid on fry pan.

Heat another 1 tbsp olive in a wok or large saucepan. Toss in your pine nuts and cook until golden and fragrant. Remove pine nuts and set aside.

Wipe out your wok and add the final 2 tbsp olive oil and the remaining garlic butter.

Add the anchovies and mash them into the hot oil. Then quickly add your shredded cabbage, and toss for a few minutes until your cabbage is slick and shiny. Add your balsamic and black pepper. Toss in your golden pine nuts.

By now, your salmon, with its crispy skin and steamed flesh and sautéed potatoes should be cooked perfectly.

So just turn everything off and serve....

and get your grateful other half to clean up cuz your kitchen will be really messy! 😂

"Accidentally Fantastic" Salmon, Red Cabbage & Potato Dinner

"Accidentally Fantastic"
Salmon, Red Cabbage & Potato Dinner