It’s been a while now since we vacationed in Oregon. The Oregon Coast is one of my favorite places to spend time. I had even considered retiring in the Pacific Northwest. But then that was before.
I still very much love that part of the world. It’s cold and damp. I’m a strange person – I like cold and damp. On rainy winter days, you’ll find me on the back patio, listening to the thunder roll and the raindrops fall, while sipping a hot cup of tea. On foggy days, I like to curl up with a bowl of soup and listen to the muffled sounds of the world.
I’ve done my best personal writing and deepest soul searching while walking all bundled up on the Oregon Coast. Hubby is not a fan of misty mornings. But I am – there’s something in the quite dampness that somehow speaks to me. Before Hubby came into my life, when I pictured growing old, it was alone, with a couple of Irish Setters or Wolfhounds as companions, living out my golden years in a refurbished lighthouse somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. Writing, painting, and just walking with God. I think that’s because it’s so quiet, you cannot help but to hear Him whisper.
Today is Oregon Day. Oregon is such a beautiful part of the country, with dramaticly changing landscapes. There is the ruggedness of the coat, the rich soils of its valleys and the high desert landscape of the eastern slopes. Along the coast, seafood reins king, but go east and it’s all about steak country. Nearly all the people in the state live along the coast or western valleys, making up 87% of the population while ranchers and county folk account for just 13%, mostly scattered further east.
Just look at Western Oregon
Or Central Oregon
Compared to the Eastern side of the state
A state with such diverse lifestyles should be celebrated, don’t you thing? Happy Oregon Day!
Today is also another Friday in our Lenten journey. While Fridays are a day of penence and abstinance, we can still honor Oregon with a simple yet delicious supper.
Oregon Lenten Friday Supper
Firecracker Salmon
Cucumber Radish Salad
Warm Bread
Firecracker Broiled Salmon
2 Green Onions
3 Garlic Cloves
2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1/2 teaspoon Habanero or Jalapeno Olive Oil
1 tablespoons Maple Syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground Ginger
1 teaspoon crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Salt to taste
White Pepper to taste
4 Salmon Fillets
Mince green onions, divide in half and set aside. Set half of the green onions in a bowl for the marinade, reserve remaining half for a garnish. Peel and finely mince garlic, add to the bowl with the green onions.
Whisk in soy sauce, plain Olive Oil, spicy olive oil, and Maple Syrup. Season mixture with ginger, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste. Pour 1/4-cup of the marinade into a gallon size resealable bag. Place in a casserole dish, allowing bag to lay flat. Add salmon, turn to coat, remove as much air as possible and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Heat oven to broil, adjusting rack about 5 inches from heat. Spray a broiler pan with cooking spray, set aside.
Remove salmon from the marinade, discard marinade. Place salmon, skin side down, on the prepared broiler pan. Place under the broiler for about 7 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork, basting with the reserved marinade.
Plate salmon, garnish with remaining green onion just before serving.
Cucumber Ribbon Radish Salad
1 medium Cucumber
6 Radishes
1 Shallot
3 tablespoons Basil Olive Oil
6 tablespoons White Vinegar
Pinch Salt
1/2 teaspoon dried Dill Weed
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Pinch Sugar
Trim ends of the cucumber. With a mandolin, thinly slice cucumber into paper-thin ribbons. Trim ends of the radishes, slice equally as thin. Peel and finely dice the shallot.
Place shallot in a salad dressing container. Add Olive Oil, Vinegar, salt, dill weed, garlic powder and a pinch of sugar. Whisk to emulsify dressing. Place salad on a serving platter. Drizzle with just a hint of dressing. Pass remaining dressing tableside to use as desired.
For a more dramatic presentation, use a large serving platter for the Salmon and the Salad. This simple supper is made complete with warm bread and good company.
I am the Lord your God: hear My voice.
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