Spork and Skewer

 Wow, life can sure get hectic. As you most of you know, Miles and I are now the proud Mommy and Daddy of our new little girl, Alice Katherine. She was born at the end of December, and I think we are finally settled in. I feel it is time for me to return to my blogging. Since our life is so full of love, it seems very appropriate to post my Valentine meal from earlier this week.

Miles and I had a very low key Valentines Day this year. Since Alice is just seven weeks old, we are home a lot. We also decided it would be a smart idea to conserve funds this year, soooo... needless to say, we stayed home for Heart Day this year. Actually, it was kind of nice. Miles cooked a chicken dinner for me on Saturday, and I cooked these Salmon Love Pockets (yes, I named them) on Monday, which was Valentines Day. They look fancy, taste fantastic, and are baby friendly to prepare because they can be made ahead of time, perhaps while baby is sleeping. Miles cleaned his plate, I bet you and your sweetie will do the same.

 Printable Recipe

After Miles and I got married (nearly 2 whole years ago!), I felt there was still something missing from our loot of kitchen gear we received for wedding and shower gifts. Trust me, this is an unbelievable statement, considering the tons and tons of gifts we got from our lovely family and friends. But there was one thing, and that was a Bundt pan. There has always been something about that fluted tubular pan that somehow makes a cake taste better.

Now, perhaps it was last summer, or perhaps it was the summer before, when I was perusing the aisles with my aunt Linda at the weekly Annandale Swapper's Meet (flea market). As we were walking along, she asked me if I was looking for something in particular. So, I shared with her the one void I still had in my kitchen cupboards. This was a fateful day, because not one half hour later, I was walking across the parking lot with my treasure, an Original Nordic Ware Bundt Pan. I am embarrassed to admit that I almost passed-up this valuable find when the seller did not want to come down under $8. Linda, you are very wise. You convinced me that $8 was a small price to pay for a classic, fail proof- pan. You knew that I had to have the original. I must admit; it is one of the best (kitchen) purchases I have ever made.

Now, I have a gift for you, and anyone else who also cannot resist the allure of a moist, delectable, springtime lemon poppy seed cake. I made this cake for the second time at Easter, and it was a hit. I knew it would be the second I carefully slid it out of my wonderfully reliable Bundt pan. I hope you enjoy this unbelievably moist treat as much as my Easter crowd did.

Printable Recipe 

At our house, we look forward to Friday nights. As often as we can, we like to fix a nice meal, something that is a little bit fancy, but still simple, open a bottle of wine, and cook together. This usually means I clean-up as Miles cooks, but when salmon is on the menu, that's okay with me. This is based on a recipe from the Bon Appetit Cookbook, and it is definitely in our Friday night repertoire. We've made salmon many different ways, and most have been good, but this is a simple method that always turns out great. This preparation would be simple to change around to fit your personal taste, or fit whatever happens to be in the fridge. I hope this turns into your go-to salmon dinner.