I have been on a cooking/recipe jag lately. I was lucky enough to be home in time to cook dinner tonight, which is not always the case. We had a menu that reminded me of California.

We had:

Roasted salmon with a little olive oil and citrus salt on it--throw it in a 400 degree oven and roast until just barely opaque and flaky. (15 to 20 miutes depending on thickness) Over-cooked salmon is lame.

Roasted red potatoes--cut into bite-sized chunks, toss in olive oil, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Put them in the 400 degree oven about 25 minutes *before* the salmon.

My "Oh My God That's Good Salad" salad-- romaine lettuce with mandarin orange segments (drained from a can is fine), crumbled feta cheese, very thinly sliced red onion (just a little), sliced almonds, and my One Minute Dressing: wisk together a glug of white balsamic vinegar, two glugs of orange juice, a pinch of salt, lots of pepper, a minced clove of garlic and a generous pinch of sugar or Equal. while you are whisking, pour in oil (I use Safflower, but any veg is fine), until it looks "about right." Pour over the salad right before serving. Toss vigorously. Sample any stray almonds, orange pieces,or cheese bits that fly out of the bowl. YUM!

I recommend a crisp Chardonnay or even a Pinot Grigio, if it's not too impertinent. (Gotta balance the acid with the salad dressing.)

Tomorrow night: Reverendmommy's grillards over couscous. (Grits was a stretch for my northerner family.)

Wednesday night: Dad's night to cook. Mom has meetings until 9:00.

Thurday: Roast chicken with greens beans and spinach/bacon salad.