It’s finally summer, and I for one can’t resist enjoying more of the longer, warmer days with meals in the great outdoors. Instead of welcoming friends in from the cold, I relish ushering them outside for lingering dinners on the deck. Is it just me, or does everything taste better when eaten outside? Whether it's a camp site, your cottage, the beach or your own backyard, dining outside offers the perfect opportunity to entertain outdoors enhanced by mother nature. Alfreso meals are the kind you can prepare in the cooling breezes of a summer morning and serve care free for supper that night without heating up the kitchen. In true Virtual Supper style we have whipped up a menu that delights all of your senses. Lets see what we have cooked up for you with this months theme. From informal after work gatherings to elegant, fine china brunches, this menu will provide you with some key tips and recipe ideas to help make your alfresco suppers a major success.
Jerry of Jerry's Thoughts, Musings and Rants starts our alfresco dinner off with a Grilled Pizza with Prosciutto, Arugula, and Lemon. The dough develops a yeastier, more complex flavor from a 24-hour resting period in the refrigerator. You can also use store-bought dough and make the process even easier.
Mary Ann of Meet Me in the Kitchen wowed us with a Summer Lemon-Vegetable Risotto. Asparagus, zucchini, yellow squash and sugar snap peas all combine together for this heavenly dish.
Jamie of Mom's Cooking Club brings along a refreshing Summer Peach and Tomato Salad for a well rounded meal.
**Poached Salmon with Creamy Herb Sauce**
Salmon:
- 2 cups dry white wine
- 2 cups water
- 3 tablespoons sliced shallots
- 6 black peppercorns
- 4 lemon slices
- 2 parsley sprigs
- 4 (6-ounce) skinless salmon fillets (about 1 inch thick)
- 1/2 cup low-fat mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh sorrel
- 1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chervil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cups sugar snap peas, trimmed
- 8 cups torn Bibb lettuce (about 5 ounces)
1. To prepare salmon, combine the first 6 ingredients in a large skillet; bring to a boil. Add fish to pan. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes (fish may not be completely cooked). Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Remove fish from pan with a slotted spoon; place on a dish. Cover and chill. Discard cooking liquid.


Poached salmon is so tasty! A great pairing. Yummy.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
The cooking club is such a wonderful idea and another example of the awesome group of people comprising food blogging! It all looks fabulous but this salmon has to be the winner!
ReplyDeleteWe were discussing the other night how we cook salmon. I had seen The Two Fat Ladies poach it with orange slices, orange juice and red wine. And have made it that way ever since!
ReplyDeleteYour herb sauce looks marvelous, Val.
Oh, this looks so good! I love salmon with some kind of creamy sauce. I make a similar one, but yours sounds even better. I will definitely have to try this. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love salmon! Most often I grill it and have a reiyaki sauce with it. (Well, that's what Mr. Rosemary likes best!) I've had poached salmon at other people's places but I've yet to make it myself. It's going to be so hot today, poached salmon sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteVal, This looks like a light entree for a hot summer day...hmmm I think white peach sangria would be a good fit here.
ReplyDeleteI love the whole idea of your eating club - especially that you cross borders and are international! All the dishes people brought sound great, but this salmon is perfect for a hot summer day. I think I've got my dinner planned now.
ReplyDeleteI love salmon. However, I never poach it. Must try this. How fresh and lovely for summer!
ReplyDeleteMy fish poacher hasn't seen much use since we moved from Charleston, S.C.. I've been thinking of doing a whole salmon for a dinner party and your sauce sounds delicious to serve with it.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
Everything sounds wonderful, Val. Your salmon is outstanding. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteGreat pairing. I always like to make a yougurt sauce with herbs with my poached salmon...so refreshing on a warm summers eve
ReplyDeleteThat herb sauce looks amazing, Val!! I adore salmon, especially with fresh, delicious sauces like yours. :-)
ReplyDeleteSalmon is a happy meal for us... no matter how it's cooked.
ReplyDeleteThat cream sauce looks delightful!
Val, thanks again for such a fun event with such nice people to 'party' with! Your salmon is gorgeous! I'm always trying to find new ways to prepare one of my favorite fish! The sauce sounds wonderful, Val! I'm all linked up with my dessert. We gobbled it down!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious - I can't wait to give it a try. Believe it or not but I have never poached salmon - time to try a new technique.
ReplyDeleteAl fresco meals sound super ideal! Especially given this intense heat. I love the sound of that salmon!
ReplyDeleteValli this look fresh and perfect, xxgloria
ReplyDeletePerfect treatment for a nice fillet of salmon! I love the creamy cool dipping sauce ... excellent!
ReplyDeleteOh, I Haven't poached salmon for the longest time - and now you got me wondering why! Love the sauce and how packed with herbs it is :) A perfect summer meal.
ReplyDeleteNothing beats poached salmon, especially in the summer. Looks delicious Val.
ReplyDeleteSam
I love salmon and we have it at least once a week. This recipe sounds so good, I will try this.
ReplyDeleteI have never joined a blog hop before so I joined. Now I am not sure my recipe is appropriate. It is certainly not light, being fried. However, it is very good with a unique taste. You just can't have it on a regular basis.
I am a new follower. I would enjoy seeing your recipes. Have a great day! Ginger
So crisp. Perfect for summer.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm hungry.. This reminds me of mom's fish
ReplyDeleteLove summer dishes and poached salmon means fresh and summer for me.
ReplyDeleteI am ashamed to say, although, I make salmon, almost every week, I had never poached it, before a few weeks ago. It was wonderful. I really have to make this recipe. It is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteLooks so good and its healthy.
ReplyDeleteI have made salmon many ways but never poached. I bet it tasted wonderful along with that herb sauce.
ReplyDeleteStay very good to you, is refreshing and healthy, is a plaer be in your kitchen, hugs great and good weekend.
ReplyDelete