Stetson Chopped Salad

I feel as though it is my duty to "represent" the Wild Wild West in our little group - and with that I am introducing you to the Stetson Chopped Salad from Cowboy Ciao (in Scottsdale and PHX airport). It's delicious and super versatile. I would say that the key ingredients are the arugula, currants, and dressing (of course).

These days I am eating gluten free and dairy free (and my stomach is SO much happier), so this is modified to reflect that; see the original recipes for opportunities to add some dairy and gluten.

To create this I modified two recipes for the salad found here: http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/stetson-chopped-salad-206039 and here: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/cowboy-ciao-stetson-chopped-salad-51436911


INGREDIENTS
1 c. cooked quinoa
½ c. diced Roma tomatoes
½ c. sweet corn kernels
1 c. chopped arugula
2 oz. smoked salmon, diced
¼ c. dried currants
¼ c. pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Dressing:
¼ c. basil pesto
¼ c. mayo
1 shallot
½ c. buttermilk (almond milk curdled with lemon juice)
juice of one lemon
salt & pepper to taste

1. 
   
   PREPARATION
   Arrange ingredients in separate rows on a large platter. Toss salad at the table, with the dressing. To make the dressing, place all ingredients in a blender and blend. Will keep in fridge for up to
   
   1. a week.
   2. And I'd totally make this for all of you if we lived within a few miles of each other again. ;) 

Red Curry-Glazed Salmon

I feel compelled to post this recipe because it's so easy and so good! My mom found it in a Real Simple magazine a few months ago and we've been making it pretty regularly since then. You can find really good salmon at Costco that I like to cut up and freeze, making this a super easy meal anytime. (If anybody has any other easy and delicious salmon recipes, I'd love to hear them!)

Ingredients:
4 5-ounce pieces salmon filet
1 tbsp red curry paste
1 tbsp canola oil
1 tsp light brown sugar
kosher salt and black pepper

Directions:
1. Heat broiler. Place the salmon on a foil-lined broilerproof baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix together curry paste, oil, sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Dividing evenly, brush the salmon with the curry paste mixture.
2. Broil until the salmon is opaque throughout, 5 to 7 minutes. (My oven takes longer)