Party Food for the Potluck We Never Went To

Today we were to be heading off to a potluck dinner with some others of the Ottawa foodie set. As the week went by, the plans slowly started to unravel as life again interfered with life for some. But those that dropped off the guest list ended up where they needed to be today, including Paris, France! Preferring to gather as a more complete crowd, we decided to postpone. I was well stocked with my potluck ingredients at 'cancel time', so I quickly moved to my Plan B.

I was going to bring 3 dishes:

• cedar-planked salmon on a baguette slice spread with a chipotle cream cheese mix and dolloped with red pepper jelly
• duck breast on a baguette slice spread with foie gras butter and topped with a rhubarb compote [inspired by Chef John Leung at the British High Commission as served at Thursday, June 17 fundraiser at Earnscliffe for Ottawa Chamber Music Society]
  
• strawberry rhubarb pie
  

The cedar-planked salmon that was headed towards an appetizer presentation, stayed in its fillet form. The duck breast appetizer was retired to the freezer. The strawberry rhubarb pie went ahead as planned (any other idea would have been criminal, I was told) and took on an added communal role of reaching out to others that have lesser mobility for venturing out.



CEDAR-PLANKED SALMON

For this traditional East Coast aboriginal way of cooking fish adapted to a modern barbecue, choose a cedar plank at your local lumberyard. They are also available at Loblaws at the seafood counter. Get one a little larger than the fish and soak it in cold water for at least four hours or overnight before using.

1 1/2 lb salmon fillets, with skin
1/4 cups olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest, grated
1 teaspoon orange zest, grated
1/8 cup lemon juice
1/8 cup orange juice
1 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Place salmon, skin side down, in large glass dish. Whisk together oil, lemon rind and juice, basil,pepper and salt; pour over salmon. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or for up to 8 hours.

Discarding marinade, place salmon, skin side down, on soaked cedar plank. Place plank on grill over medium-high heat; close lid and cook for about 20 minutes or until fish is opaque, bronze-coloured and flakes easily when tested with fork. Makes 6 servings.

***

We really like having a red pepper jelly with our cedar-planked salmon. Sometimes we are lucky to find a red pepper and peach jelly combination. The heat from a red pepper jelly with chili works very well too.



The salad was not on my potluck list but it sure helped to fill a spot on our plate. And it's certainly a nod to best-selling author, Mark Bittman of Food Matters fame, who promotes eliminating processed foods, eating whole foods and consuming more fruits and vegetables.



SUMMER GREEN SALAD

mixed greens
heirloom tomatoes
cucumber
sweet red bell pepper
red onion
strawberries
mango
feta cheese


DRESSING

extra virgin olive oil
orange juice
balsamic vinegar
very small garlic clove
freshly ground black pepper
pinch of sugar

***

This is the second time I have made a strawberry rhubarb pie this season! I just love the zing that comes from the tartness of fresh rhubarb. Here is the previous post that contains the recipe for the pie.






Father's Day was very peaceful from start to end. Father's Day was also a good eating day from start to end. [As evidenced here with a sneak peak at breakfast in bed, made by the young chef.]