Oh gosh – lessons in biking…
Today’s weather screamed SUMMER, so I took the opportunity to break out my bike and go for a ride in the sunshine! I dusted off the ol’ Trek mountain bike and started peddling.
Eek. It was hard, people…real hard! My thighs were burning 30 seconds into the ride! I thought to myself, “What the heck? I know I haven’t biked since last summer, but seriously, am I that out of shape??” Convinced that was the case, I soldiered on and made a pit stop at my parents house a little while later. We sat, we chatted, I had some gummy bears… Awhile later my parents walked me out and as I was riding away they exclaimed in unison, “Oh, honey!” Um, yes?
My bike tires were completely. flat. Completely flat, I’m telling you! No wonder it was so difficult to peddle! Although, I’ve never been so happy to have flat tires in my life. It was pretty pathetic thinking I was that out of shape! My Dad pumped them up for me and they were as good as new. So, bike enthusiasts, be sure to check your tires before hopping on this Spring! 
Side story: Don’t worry, my Dad started crying as I peddled up and down the street, testing out my newly inflated tires. “Just like when you were a little girl,” he sobbed. Yeesh! My Dad is the most sensitive man on the planet! Love you so much, Dad! 
(IGE & IDE circa, ohhh, 1986?!)
Oh, check out the gorgeous crab apple tree in my parent’s front yard. It’s so dreamy!
I wish Ben and I had one of these in our yard!
Crab apple trees remind me of cherry blossoms, which reminds me of Japan. And you all know how I feel about Japan.
Allllrighty. What’s for dinner? Salmon with Sweet Corn Maque Choux!
Remember when I made Cajun Shrimp with Maque Choux?! Well this is a lot of like that, except it’s even more like the unforgettable dish I had at Emeril’s restaurant, NOLA, down in New Orleans! 
The recipe’s flavors are centered around Emeril’s Creole seasoning blend, or “essence“. It combines garlic & onion powders, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme and a bunch of other spices to really “kick up” whatever it’s added to!
I used the essence to season the beautiful, fresh salmon filets I picked up at Costco this weekend. Costco seafood is a Godsend for us Midwesterners – it always tastes so fresh!
I seasoned my filets very liberally – they were thick! 
Then I got to work on the sweet corn maque choux. I followed Emeril’s recipe and made the same adjustment as I did last time I made this. Easy!
The red bell pepper and corn get nice and soft during a quick 10 minute sauté & steam.
When the maque choux was about half way done cooking, I heated ~2 teaspoons EVOO in a skillet on medium-high heat, and laid my filets – skin side down – into the oil. Careful – it splatters a little!
When the skin side was done, I flipped the filets, added 1 Tablespoon of EVOO and removed the skin.
It’s so much easier to do it this way, then when the filets are uncooked!!
After a few more minutes, those babies were DONE! Out of the pan and onto a plate to rest while my maque choux finished up.
Mmmmmmmaque choux!
In the blink of an eye, it all came together. WOW!
Don’t tell anyone, but I semi love it when my pan-seared salmon is a little bit oily. It’s just extra virgin olive oil, and it makes the crispy crust so decadent!
The essence seasoning creates almost a blackened salmon effect. It has just a little bit of heat and so.much.flavor!!!
Crispy and flaky, yet tender on the inside. And I seriously want to make that maque choux every single week. It’s so sweet, savory and spic-ay – LOVE IT!
Yum, yum, yum. You’ve got to try this dish. It’s the closest to replicating the lunch I had at NOLA as I’m going to get – droooooool!
In other news, dear readers, I must apologize because I have been absolutely wretched about returning emails this past week. Bear with me – I promise I’ll get back to you just as soon as I can!!
Good night!
~~~~~
Are you more like your Mom, Dad or another relative?
I am a good mixture of both my parents, I think. I’m sensible like my Mom and passionate like my Dad!
I love crap apples! Have you ever tried crap apple jam? It’s the best!!
I think I’m more like my mum – my dad and I have no similarities, thank goodness!
LOVE that salmon, it looks incredible!
Mmmm, that salmon looks delicious! I’m having roasted halibut and veggies for dinner tonight, but the corn looks incredible! Thanks for sharing!
I think that’s adorable that your dad got teary. I’m going to be like that every day of my girls lives! And I am WAY too much like my mom for my own good.
Man, that salmon looks delicious! The dish looks even better than it did when you made it with the Cajun shrimp!
I think I’m more like my dad, but my mom and I get along so well. She is definitely one of my best friends!
That’s so cute that your dad cried. I think I have a good mix of traits from my mom and dad. My career-mindedness, love for running, and self-supporting nature I think I got from my dad. I definitely got my creativeness, compassion, and worries from my mom! I never really thought about how I am a mix of their traits before
That’s so cute of your dad! I feel like it could be a movie lol
The crab apple tree is beautiful
I’m the most like my dad for sure!
I am most like my dad, though a little bit of my mom, too. My sister, on the other hand, is exactly the opposite. She and my mom are almost exactly the same with the weird exception of her being super introverted like my dad. Interesting how personalities come through in kids, isn’t it?
You also shouldn’t feel bad about your biking experience – when I brought my bike out of hibernation, my first ride was awful, too. Unfortunately, my dad wasn’t there to fill my tires for me; I had to find a gas station and do it myself…but I hear ya on the tricks that plays with your mind and the utter relief when you find it’s not because of you!
I’m so much like my mom. And I find myself saying things she says all the time. I even look a lot like her.
Awww no wonder you like your parents so much!
My dad and I are so similar! We think almost identically about everything! The funny part is that we’re always ready to end phone conversations at exactly the same time. Have a great night, girl!
Mmm Salmon is definitely my favorite fish!
That’s hilarious about the bike! Love the dinner, we have been craving Salmon all week, and might have to try this recipe out, Thanks
Okay, first thing first – your Dad has to be the cutest. I am a lot like my Dad and a total Daddy’s girl – not in a weird or annoying way, though
so I totally loved reading that. Secondly, can I come over and have you make this dinner for me? No? Okay, I’ll make it myself I guess!
OMG right as I saw those tree pics I instantly thought of Japan! I bet you miss that part!!! (among others) This year will be my first Sakura Matsuri and I can’t wait…that is, if I even get to see it…might have to travel up to Hakodate on Hokkaido for the experience, since I’ll be in Korea for my city’s festival. Boo hoo. Hmmm, I’m emotional (in a good way) like my mother, and tell long, never-ending stories like my dad. We are both told, “We just wanted the Reader’ Digest version!”…I can’t help it, I’m a rambler.
I’m totally a mix of my mom and dad too! passionate, introverted, and full of worry (and a bit cynical) like my mom… logical, idealistic, and a writer like my dad!
Question: which did you like better with the maque choux- the shrimp version or the salmon version? I want to give one a try!
Thanks!
PS blossoms make me SO happy. Thanks for the lovely pics!
hahaha i LOVE that your dad got sad when he reminisced!! poor IDE – putting his feelings out there for the world! reminds me of my dad – so not emotional like that, and then one thing will set him off. i’m more like my mom, i guess. she’s my absolute best friend, but i can’t imagine life without either of my parents. and your dinner looks SO SO GOOD!!!!
That picture with your dad is cute. I love old pictures like that.
I look more like my dad but personality-wise I’d say I’m a healthy mix of both parents.
You’re so lucky to have such a great relationship with your Dad.
~Christie
This looks SO amazing!!!!
Mmmmm! That looks SO good! I love fish, and especially love just about anything with corn! That would be over the moon w/homegrown Iowa sweet corn! Can’t hardly wait for homegrown corn & tomatoes!
[...] quick miles later, I’m back. It was a great ride – MUCH better than yesterday’s! – but I’m covered in bugs. They were out in full force and were literally [...]
[...] quick miles later, I’m back. It was a great ride – MUCH better than yesterday’s! – but I’m covered in bugs. They were out in full force and were literally [...]
OMG right as I saw those tree pics I instantly thought of Japan! I bet you miss that part!!! (among others) This year will be my first Sakura Matsuri and I can’t wait…that is, if I even get to see it…might have to travel up to Hakodate on Hokkaido for the experience, since I’ll be in Korea for my city’s festival. Boo hoo. Hmmm, I’m emotional (in a good way) like my mother, and tell long, never-ending stories like my dad. We are both told, “We just wanted the Reader’ Digest version!”…I can’t help it, I’m a rambler.
[...] I made use of the other half of my large salmon filet from Costco, and whipped up some Asian Salmon for dinner…made with salad [...]
[...] really taste the fruity olive oil and all the super-spicy spices in the essence (love that essence on salmon too, [...]