Miso-Glazed Black Cod (dinner)

by Irene Lindvall

I almost missed this recipe because I was paying attention to the backside which had a recipe I'd previously made. I'm so glad I stopped and read it before filing it away! I love miso and I love black cod so really this is the perfect recipe for me. I made the mistake of not putting the pan on the rack closest to the broiler so it took a little bit longer to cook than it should've, but overall the recipe is great. The glaze takes a minute to make, there is no marinading and cook time is only 10 minutes. I could definitely see serving this with rice and miso soup in the winter.

Things I learned from this recipe:

The recipe suggests serving it with rice which I agree with, but I don't think using cilantro as an optional topping instead of green onions is a good idea. I would only go with green onions because the flavors make the most sense to me.

The toasted sesame seeds were a great touch.

Would I make this recipe again?:

Yes

The recipe

Summer Beans (side dish)

by Irene Lindvall

Another eight year old recipe! Apparently I was collecting a lot in 2006. I needed a side dish to compliment my main fish dish and I needed to use-up these beans from the farmers market. The almonds really were the highlight of the dish. I'm still using the fancy Marcona ones from Modesto, CA. Although they didn't toast at all like the recipe instructions said they would, they were still delicious. The green beans tasted fine after four minutes of boiling, but the preserved lemons really weren't my thing. I think minus them the beans would've been good, but to accompany the black cod I think a simple mixture of ginger and soy sauce would've been best.

Things I learned from this recipe:

Purple green beans are really disguised green beans. After you cook them they lose their purple color and you can only tell they were once purple if you cut them in half. Fascinating.

Perserved lemons are not my thing.

Would I make this recipe again?:

No

The recipe

Sautéed Snow Peas (side dish)

by Irene Lindvall

I was really feeling like chirashi for dinner and had been saving this side dish for just such an occasion. This is another America's Test Kitchen recipe and I was excited to make it because they said they had come up with some revolutionary way to sauté snow peas. It was extremely easy to make, but I don't think I learned anything new and I definitely don't think the peas turned out any better than when I regularly stir-fry them. 

Things I learned from this recipe:

It's not often that Eric and I vary on how we feel about a dish, and surprisingly it had to do with vegetables and it wasn't ME who was in love with the dish.

Would I make this recipe again?:

No

The recipe:

This is another dish from the Cooking For Two from America's Test Kitchen so no recipe is available, and even it it were, I don't think I'd share it.

Lemon-Herb Cod w/Crispy Potatoes (dinner)

by Irene Lindvall

America's Test Kitchen Cooking For Two 2012 has not let me down. Time after time their recipes have been amazing and some of the best things we've eaten. This recipe however, did not measure up. The cod had zero flavor, and I really mean zero. The potatoes were delicious and the bites of cod that had thyme were tasty, but really, the recipe was a disappointment.

Things I learned from this recipe:

We really like fish that has flavor.

Garlic + potatoes in the oven is still good. 

Would I make this recipe again?:

No

The recipe

Green Salad w/Papaya Seed Dressing (dinner salad)

by Irene Lindvall

I still have many salad recipes saved up and I needed one tonight to pair with the cod. I definitely chose the right one. This is such a tasty salad, but you must love onions. I love raw onions and I especially love a sweet onion. Lucky for me, Walla Walla sweet onions are from my home state and are readily available. I used them in this recipe for both the dressing and the topping. This dressing really is phenomenal and one to be made again.

Things I learned front his recipe:

Chopped onions make for an amazing salad dressing base. 

Would I make this recipe again?:

Yes

The recipe