Grilled Salmon and Asparagus with Salad

Grilled Salmon and Asparagus

With summer comes grilling and lots of salads. This recipe, adapted from Rachael Ray and The Food Network Kitchen includes both as well as my favorite vegetable. It was very dry earlier this which impacted my asparagus production, but it still provided enough for a meal, every two to three days.

This recipe serves two.

Orange vinaigrette dressing
1/2 large orange
1 Tablespoon chopped shallots
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
1 Tablespoon canola oil
1 Tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper

Whisk together ingredients for vinaigrette and set aside.

Prepare Salmon and Asparagus:
1-bunch asparagus spears
2 (4-6 oz) salmon fillets
Salt and pepper
Olive oil

Blanch asparagus in boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove to a plate. Brush salmon with olive oil then season with salt and pepper. Place on pre-heated grill and cook about 5 minutes each side, more or less to your preference.

For Salad
Assorted salad greens
1/4 cup Kalamata olives sliced in half
1/2 large orange
1/4 cup sliced red onion
salt and pepper

While salmon is grilling, combine salad ingredients and divide onto two plates. Just before the salmon is done, coat asparagus in olive oil, lightly salt and add to grill. Cook for about 3 minutes, turning frequently. Serve on plate with salmon, salad and vinaigrette. 

Take a Hike

Champney Falls Trailhead

It has been awhile since I have been hiking in the White Mountains and it was great to get back on the trail. On Sunday my friend Sue and I hiked up to Middle Sister in Albany, New Hampshire. The hike started on the Champney Falls Trail, which is one of the approaches to popular Mt. Chocorua. The parking lot off the Kancamaugus Highway  was full when we arrived and I suspect that most people were either hiking to the falls or up to the more popular Chocorua.

The lower portion of the trail to Champney and Pitcher falls would make a great hike for families of all ages as it is only about 1.5 miles one way with an easy grade. The relatively dry spring we have had made for easy stream crossings. The falls were probably not running as strong as typical in spring, but there was enough water to still be impressive.

A series of cascades form Champney Falls

Sue had hiked here before and knew that in order to see Pitcher Falls, you need to cross over Champney Brook and enter a narrow gorge. It's a pretty cool spot and would be a great place to cool off on a hot day.

Pitcher Falls on the right

After viewing the falls, we connected back up to the Champney Falls trail and began to climb more steadily. It wasn't long before we reached the cut-off to the Middle Sister trail. Along this trail are some of the finest views of the hike.

Views from the Middle Sister Cut-off

In addition to some great views, the cut-off trail also had a nice patch of mountain laurel, which were in bloom.

Mountain Laurel

The cool, breezy weather made for a great day of hiking, keeping the bugs away, but also cut short our stay at the top since there really wasn't a good spot to sit out of the wind. There is a cool foundation, which once house a fire groundhouse, but it provided no shelter since the stairs just lead to about a twenty foot drop-off.

Steps lead an opening at the top.

At the base of the foundation is a door, posted with a notice that there are archeological resources in the vicinity that are protected under the Antiquities Act of 1906. This fire lookout site is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register. It was in operation from 1927 to 1942. I am not sure if the sign is to protect the artifacts of the fire lookout, or if there are other archeological resources at this site. 

Door at base of fire lookout

Antiquities Act Sig

After enjoying the great views, which include Mount Chocorua in the distance, we returned to the cut-off trail to enjoy lunch.

The ridge to Mount Chocorua

I would rank this hike in the top tier of favorites as it offers a lot of variety for a relatively short duration and is only moderately strenuous.It is listed as one of the "52 with a View" and there is no question as to why.