Sunday, March 4, 2012

Orange-Glazed Salmon, Routines and Teaching




What do you get when you let brown sugar and orange marmalade mingle with Cajun spices and cuddle up to salmon? A perfect blend of sweet and spicy. And a perfect weeknight meal after a full day, a full week, I should say.

I "survived" my first week of teaching full-time. I have to admit, I'm a bit out of practice, both the full-time thing and the teaching thing. But by the end of the week, I was finding a new rhythm.

I miss my morning walks with Mr. Rosemary and I miss -- I can't believe I'm really saying this -- cleaning out the horse stalls every morning.  I guess I just miss my regular routine.

And I really miss cooking . . . . and blogging.  I just haven't cooked as much this past week.  All I could manage were quick hurry-up-and-get-it-on-the-table kind of meals.

After just one week, I have a new respect for bloggers who have full-time jobs and children and volunteer work and social lives and still manage to not only cook and bake but write about it and photograph it -- a couple times a week or more!

I think I may need to do some serious time management retooling.

I did make one delicious salmon dinner, though, and I got it from the Cuisine at Home.  It was very simple, very fast, and very good.  Enough said.

While I was cooking this, though, I got the thought that cooking was a lot like teaching.  Before I lose you completely, let me explain:  I have four classes of high school sophomores and even though we're all reading the same book, even though I'm using the same study guide information, I have very different experiences with these kids each day.

Doesn't that happen often with cooking?  Same ingredients, same method of cooking, and sometimes, very different results.  A different brand of pasta or canned tomatoes can make a dish taste just a bit different than the last time you made it with another brand.  Or the veggies weren't quite as fresh, or you had to use dried herbs instead of fresh.  Get what I'm saying here?  Same information, different group of kids, different discussion, different results.

The kids are great.  And when you see that something you've said really did sink in, when you see understanding in what were confused eyes, when they greet your homework assignment with a blank stare but then produce some insightful analysis, well, that makes the sometimes boring dinners tolerable. At least for now.

Off to make a lesson plan for better cooking this week.

Orange-Glazed Salmon
only slightly adapted from Cuisine at Home
Makes 4 fillets

3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup orange marmalade
2 tablespoons lime juice

Combine Cajun seasoning, sugar and salt. Rub over all surfaces of fillets.
Saute fillets in oil in a large non-stick skillet over high heat for 3--4 minutes.  Turn and saute an additional 2--3 minutes.
Blend marmalade and lime juice.  Swirl in skillet until melted. Carefully turn fish to glaze on all sides.  Salmon is done when it begins to flake when tested with a fork.  Serve with  lime wedges.

38 comments:

  1. Oh, this looks like an outstanding salmon dish! Yeah, I hear you on the time management...I'm stepping up in a couple volunteer organizations and I know I'll need to make some huge adjustments. I hope you'll share your lesson plan for better cooking ;)

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    1. The salmon was very good . . . and simple. I'll get back to you on the time management thing.

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  2. Love your beautifully glazed salmon with the brown sugar, the Cajun spice and the orange marmalade combination. I have a recipe similar to that. What a rewarding job you have, Rosemary...teaching full time. I bet it does take away from your household chores, and even cooking. Hope you'll find an even balance to work things out. That's one of the reasons I only work part-time now...balancing out my time is much better this way, but I would go back full time; just not good at standing all day cooking and doing all that physical work!

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    1. I have done sweet and spicy salmon before, but never used orange marmalade. This full-time job is just a part-time thing, really, just covering a maternity leave through the end of the school year. It will be just enough for me!

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  3. The marmalade is a nice touch with the salmon Rosemary.

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  4. I admire your going back to work full time Rosemary. I've gotten to old and lazy to do that anymore.

    This is definitely the kind of meal I would want to have after a busy day. But salmon could be on menu anytime and I would be a happy girl.
    Sam

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    1. Well, Sam, it's full-time but only for a few months. After that? Well . . . . I'll just be cooking and writing!

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  5. I really enjoyed reading your post; I used to be a teacher so many years ago I don't think I could get back in the groove. have to keep this recipe; we love salmon. Thank you Rosemary; good luck!
    Rita

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    1. Six days down! So far, so good. Still, I need to "study" myself every night to be sure and be ahead of the kids!

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  6. I'm glad you made it through your first week of work! Especially at one of what I consider to be one of the toughest jobs on earth! You'll get into a new routine :) And don't worry about the blogging. I wore myself out ragged last year trying to do multiple posts a week in between work and spinning and parrot patrol volunteering. Once a week felt a little 'poopy' at first but it makes it more fun and less like work! You'll get into a new rhythm :) Good luck!

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    1. I know that sometimes, some things just gotta give -- you've got a lot going too. Someday you'll write more about parrot patrol!

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  7. Your salmon sounds delicious and quick to prepare. You have a lot on your plate so to speak and it takes sometime to get into a new routine.

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    1. Tonight we're having a frittata made with a leftover pasta dish -- but we do that once a week or so anyhow. Maybe it's the 5:30 a.m. alarm I'm not liking (especially when I'm awake well before that!)

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  8. Fantastic salmon dish - lovely flavors - a really delicious meal :)
    Mary x

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    1. I know I'll be making salmon this way again. Can't beat simple and tasty.

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  9. I can totally see you as a teacher! I would like to be in your class. :)

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  10. This looks lovely, Rosemary. If you get the time management thing figured out, let me in on it. I'm in my second year of grad school and haven't yet (sigh).

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    1. If I stay away from blogs, and Facebook, and Pinterest, I'll be okay.

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  11. Once you make it through the first week, the rest will follow without such a feeling of change! Time management, great concept if there were no interruptions to the schedule-which are unavoidable it seems.
    I had a dish like this recently out at a restaurant. This method of cooking as well as the spices do make for one awesome tasting fish. Makes you wonder why anyone would prefer deep fried fish with heavy batter-yuck! Have a great evening.

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    1. I know what you mean about deep fried battered fish! After having fish like this, does make you wonder! I'll keep dealing with the fourteen hundred different kinds of interruptions.

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  12. This looks like a fabulous meal... I would order this at a restaurant!

    And great going at work! More power to ya :)

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    1. I may be doing some ranting and raving about the work thing -- stay tuned!

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  13. This looks amazing...I like getting new ways to try salmon. I know what you mean with the time management. I work in an elementary school and I keep counting down until spring break! :)

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  14. I'm full of admiration for people who juggle everything and blog too! Sounds like you've had quite a good week of teaching. And to come home and make a salmon dish that looks like that? I'm full of admiration for you, too!

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    1. I'm still anxious for Friday to come! (I might even cook something special this weekend.)

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  15. I can only imagine how different it would be if I had a 9-5 or 7-3 job again. I'm certain it will take time to adjust but then you'll probably get more done in your day now because you have a set schedule.

    Your salmon dish sounds wonderful. I love using marmalade for glazes on foods and like how you added spices to yours. I will try this next time I make salmon. I'm sure we will like it.

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    1. I hope I get more done! That's secretly one of the reasons I decided to do this little stint.

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  16. This recipe looks delicious!
    Have a look at my blog, there are awards waiting fo you.

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    1. Well, the salmon was indeed good and I so appreciate the awards! How very nice of you! I'll be by -- after my papers are graded, of course.

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  17. This is a great recipe, Rosemary and your post was wonderful. I have no doubt you'll have things completely under control in a matter of days. Enjoy your weekend. Blessings...Mary

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    1. The weekend (and beautiful weather here -- and a date with Mr. Rosemary) was just what I needed. I had a great Monday!

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  18. I always felt the same way about Girl Scouts - sometimes it was exhausting, sometimes they were totally frustrating, but in the end it was the rare moments when you could tell they just "got it" that made it all worth it. Keep your chin up - you'll find your new routine and balance soon enough!!

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    1. I'm glad we get those moments, even though they sometimes seem too few and far between. It's very satisfying when it happens. (And you keep your chin up, too!)

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  19. Salmon is among my favorite things to make/eat. And keep up the great work!

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I realize you don't have to take the time to comment . . . but it makes my day! So glad you decided to stay.