::photo:of:the:day::

Perfection.

Tom Hardy by Alasdair McLellan for Vogue UK June 2012.

-S.*

{Source: VisualOptimism @ TFS}

::cucumber:salad::

So I have been trying really hard {sometimes not hard enough} to eat really clean the last week...some days are better then others {yesterday I had white carbs - white food is baaaaaaad, apparently}...but anyways...so I am trying to find quick, cheap and healthy recipes {clean ones} to try out and to share with you guys so here is one that I have had saved in my bookmarks for quite a long while and decided that I will post it today! I will be trying this recipe out at some point soon {when it isn't +5000C outside} and if I remember; let you know how it turned out. :) It is suuuper easy though. 

Bon Appetit!

Onion and Cucumber Salad with Salmon

Even raw Viadlias are mild; here they're combined with flaked salmon, capers, and cuke in a salad substantial enough to be a meal, especially when offered with grilled bread. Red-wine vinegar can replace sherry vinegar; you'll want to then add a touch more honey to the dressing. For the easiest prep: After cutting the onion in half lengthwise through the root, remove the skin. Place cut side down and, with a chef's knife, thinly slice. 

{Everyday Food, July/August 2007}

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

3/4 pound skinless salmon fillet

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 Vidalia onion, very thinly sliced

1/2 seedless cucumber, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon nonpareil or very small capers, rinsed and drained

Directions

1. Preheat over to 450 degrees. Place salmon on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Bake just until opaque throughout, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a fork, gently flake fish into bite-size pieces; let cool to room temperature. 

2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, and honey. Season with salt and pepper. Add salmon, onion, cucumber, and capers; toss to combine. Serve immediately, or refrigerate up to 4 hours. 

Lately I have been trying to find recipes that take NO time to make and this is a perfect example. Might even add some toasted foccacia to it. 

-S.*

{Source: Everyday Food Website}

::asian:salmon:salad::

Okay - I am working on my big time hair post which is taking a little longer than expected but make sure to check back over the weekend for it *fingerscrossed*. For now, I am going to share a recipe with you guys that is taken out of this book:

Yea, that's right...I took that pic. Anyways, it is Chef Michael Smith's Kitchen - 100 of my Favourite Easy Recipes. 

And seriously...they are really really easy to make. This book is JAM-PACKED with recipes - each one with it's own marvelous full page photo and they all look beyond mouth-watering. I highly recommend this book with recipes such as; Southwestern Grilled Chicken Salad, Coconut Crusted Chicken, Corn Cakes, Shrimp Rice Paper Rolls, Lentil Stew with 40 Garlic Cloves, Chef's Steak - the list goes on and on and on. They all look amazing so I highly recommend picking up this book if you love to be in the kitchen and need to add a fantastic book to your cookbook repertoire. 

Anyways...this next recipe I am definitely going to be trying this weekend, it is also light and healthy - perfect since I am all about healthy and clean eating these days {well, as much as I can be, lol}.

{This recipe can be found on page 69 of the book.}

Bon Appetit!

Asian Salmon Salad with Miso Sesame Dressing, Edamame Beans, and Sprouts

This salad has three distinct parts that harmoniously become one; salmon seared and flaked into a salad of beans and bean sprouts, all tossed with an aromatic Asian-inspired dressing. But my favourite part is the crunchy chow mein noodles on top. Serves 4

Ingredients

1 salmon fillet {8 ounces/250 g}, skin removed

A sprinkle or two of salt and lots of freshly ground pepper

A splash of cooking oil

1 cup {250 mL} of shelled edamame beans, thawed if frozen

1 cup {250 mL} of bean sprouts

1 cup {250 mL} of thinly sliced snow peas

1 cup {250 mL} of grated carrots

1 cup {250 mL} of cilantro leaves

2 green onions, thinly sliced

1 cup {250 mL} of crispy crunch chow mein noodles

For the Dressing

1/4 cup {60 mL} of vegetable oil

1 tablespoon {15 mL} of toasted sesame oil

2 tablespoons {30 mL} of grated frozen ginger

2 tablespoons {30 mL} of rice wine vinegar

1 tablespoon {15 mL} of miso paste

1 teaspoon {5 mL} of soy sauce

1 teaspoon {5 mL} of honey

Directions

Preheat your favourite heavy saute pan or frying pan over medium-high heat. Dry the salmon fillet on a piece or two of paper towel - this will help it sear and develop a crispy crust. Season the fish on both sides with salt and pepper to taste. 

Add a splash of cooking oil to the pan, enough to evenly coat the bottom with a thin film. In a few moments, when the oil just begins to smoke, carefully slide in the salmon fillet. Increase the heat to high and sear the first side until golden brown and crunchy, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the fish and continue searing until the fish is cooked through, another 4 to 5 minutes or so. 

Meanwhile, make the dressing. In a salad bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, sesame oil, ginger, vinegar, miso, soy sauce, and honey until smooth.

When the salmon is seared, add it to the salad bowl and break it into large flakes with a fork. Add the edamame beans, sprouts, snow peas, carrots, cilantro, and green onions and toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Top with the crunchy chow mein noodles. Serve and share!

Kitchen Tip

The best way to keep the salmon from sticking to the pan is to preheat the pan. Fish sticks to cold metal but not to hot metal. The oil will help, but nothing beats a hot pan for a nonstick cooking surface. 

There! 

Doesn't that sound sooo yummy. :) 

Of course, being a cilantro hater {sorry cilantro} I am going to just omit that part. But other then that, it looks like we have a fantastic Friday night dish! :)

-S.*

::style:hits::

Styyyyyylllleeeee...

-S.*

{Source: People StyleWatch}

::mary:zilba::

It is Tuesday - and you know what that means...that's right, it's new magazine day. ;)) Not many issues are coming out today but I do know that the new Oxygen bookazine is coming out that I am looking forward to and the new Glamour mag with Mila Kunis on the cover. I love the Glam mag - just disappointed that they stopped using illustrator Kirsten Ulve in it. I really looked forward to her illustrations in the magazine every month. 

Another thing that is going on today is that Mary Zilba from Real Housewives of Vancouver has come out with her new single Hero - all proceeds, I believe, are going to TS {tuberos sclerosis} - something that her son Chase {who plays guitar on the single} has. 

It isn't a song that I would usually listen to...but I love Mary - and have an obsession with RHOV and I just love the song. It's great. So I purchased it on iTunes - hoping there was enough on Visa for a 99cent song. Thankfully, there was. Lol. They are also beginning to film the music video so I am looking forward to that. 

Anyways! I decided to add Mary as a friend on Facebook and she accepted! Not only that but I wrote on her wall and got a reply back! GAHH!!

There is my screencap for ya'll to see. ;)) 

Anyways! It made my morning - seeing as how I was in a pissy mood because I gained 2lbs from yesterday. Ugh. I need to stop stepping on the damn scale every single day. 

Anyways...what else can I share? 

I am listening to an album by Lissie called Catching A Tiger and it has been in my iTunes for forever and never paid it much attention but it is fantastic! Just thought I would share that. Make sure you check it out! I am also going to look into Coby Caillat as my Ma said she is pretty good. 

I guess that is pretty much it with regards to my rambling today. Not feeling incredibly inspired today - probably because I should probably get out of bed and start cleaning...so that is what I am going to do and then get my ass to the damn gym and hope these 2lbs eff off!

Hope everyone is having a lovely Tuesday so far! :)) 

-S.*

::photo:of:the:day::

Unknown. But pretty.

-S.*