Easy Salmon Dinner (A Sort-of Recipe)

Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day.  On days like that, we feel lucky to live in the beautiful Northwest...and we generally eat a pretty Northwest meal.  Last night we had grilled salmon and fresh asparagus.  Yum.  This is one of our favorite summer meals and so I had to share the recipe with you.

The only minor hitch?  It's not a precise recipe.  This gives you an approximation that you can mix to suit your own tastes.  You've been forewarned.  Oh, and even people who don't care for fish love this.  It's really that good.

Creamy Dill Salmon

• 1.5 lb salmon fillet 
• 2 large spoons of mayo (approximately 1/3 c.)
• Several shakes of smoked paprika (approximately 1 tsp.)
• 1 squirt lemon juice (approximately 1/2 tbsp or a quarter lemon)
• 1 tbsp dried dill or dill paste
• 2 forks of capers (approximately 1 1/2 tbsp -- we use forks so that the capers drain)
• 1/2 tsp. liquid smoke (opt. -- we no longer use this because we have a smoker box in our grill)

Rinse salmon fillet and pat dry.  Set on a "tray" made out of two sheets of foil (just barely larger than the fillet).
Mix all other ingredients together and spread on the salmon fillet.

Place salmon (on its tin foil tray) on a heated grill for 15 minutes.  Serve with pasta and a vegetable.  Serves four.

Easy Asparagus

• 1/2lb asparagus (give or take -- we've done more at a time before)
• 1 tbsp. minced garlic (approx. six cloves)
• 1/4-1/3 c. soy sauce
• 1 pat butter (opt. -- we've done it without for friends on diets and it's still good)

Wash asparagus and trim ends. Place on a microwave safe plate.  Pour soy sauce over it and top with garlic and butter.  

Cover (tightly) with cling wrap and microwave for 2-4 minutes (depending on how crunchy you want it and how much you're cooking -- I usually end up at 3 minutes because I don't want it too crunchy).

Serves 2-4.