Flavorful Fridays: Keep it simple, disciples

March 27, 2024 at 3:44 p.m.

     

It’s easy to overcomplicate things in this life – both in the spiritual and in the kitchen.

Don’t get me wrong – I absolutely love an eloquent, expertly-prepared dish once in a while. The way the textures, flavors and aromas meld together with an attractive presentation is certainly appropriate for special occasions, and we every reason to look forward to these feasts, particularly when they are tied to a feast of the Church year.

But I’m continually amazed by what is achievable through simplicity. A perfectly mouthwatering meal is very possible with fewer ingredients than I have fingers, with just the right attention to detail.

Patting a fillet of fish or meat dry with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking in a hot pan will help facilitate the Maillard reaction, browning the exterior to a delectable crisp and releasing aromatic compounds that bring everyone to the kitchen salivating. No complicated recipe is needed – a little salt and maybe a few granules of sugar, some olive oil, avocado oil or butter and direct heat, and something magical occurs in minutes.

We can achieve something similar in our relationship with Christ, making use of simple tools we have at our immediate disposal. Deep faith and friendship with him can happen without having read the latest published work, without having attained an advanced degree in theology, and in spite of all our failings. We just need to remember the basics.

Prayers can be compositions worthy of the highest feasts, like the Easter Vigil Mass, or they can be simple and personal, composed by our own hearts in the moment – a conversation with God that says, “I’m here, Lord – forgive my sins. Help me to do your will. Give me and my family peace and strength.” Time spent reading the Bible is never wasted, nor is the 20-minute daily Mass any less an encounter with the Eucharistic Lord than Easter Sunday.

It doesn’t need to be complicated to be holy. And food doesn’t need to be complicated to be delicious.

EmmaLee Italia is a contributing editor to The Monitor and sole proprietor of Flavors by EmmaLee LLC. For more information email [email protected].

Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce

Ingredients

Four 6-oz. salmon fillets

1 Tablespoon olive or avocado oil

1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Dill Sauce:

1/3 cup Greek yogurt

2 Tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon dried dill (or 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh dill)

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Steps 

1. Heat a skillet over medium high heat. When a drop of water sizzles and dances in the pan, add 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil.

2. While pan is heating, pat salmon filets dry with paper towel. Brush lightly with olive or avocado oil. Season with sugar, sea salt and fresh ground black pepper.

3. Cook salmon in pan without moving, about 4 minutes, until fillets are opaque about halfway; carefully flip fillets over and reduce heat to medium. Cook another 4 minutes, until bottom is crisp and center reaches 125 degrees.

4. Remove fillets to a plate and cover with foil to rest for 3-4 minutes. While salmon rests, in small bowl whisk together ingredients for Lemon Dill Sauce. Serve salmon with sauce as garnish.

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