Baked Salmon & Asparagus (Gluten Free and Dairy Free!)

I've started attempting to cook and I'm going to start sharing recipes!

I usually cook at night so I don't normally have natural lighting on my side, so my picture may not be the best. And since I'm not used to blogging my recipes I have to start remembering to take pictures of the cooking process (this one only has 2, sorry!).

Also, John has a wheat and cow's milk allergy so most of my recipes will be gluten free and dairy free. His particular allergy isn't life threatening, it's more of an inconvenience and annoyance so we don't worry too much about butter (because butter makes everything amazing!) but if you are sticking to a dairy free diet you can always switch out regular butter for dairy free butter.

With the exception of this post, my intro to "Gracey is cooking?!" posts, I'm going to try not to write a novel before we get down to the recipe, because I know when I'm searching for a recipe I really am not interested at all in what is being said above it (sorry if I'm offending, I get angry when I'm hungry).

Umm what else...I've given thought to the Keto diet because of my epilepsy but I haven't had a chance to talk to my doctor about it yet. I'd like to give it a shot in combination with my medication if he thinks it's a good idea, and if that's the case then there will be some Keto recipes coming up!

Anyway, my recipe inspiration came from a few different salmon recipes I mashed together from Pinterest, but here is the main one.

I'm hesitant to put a prep time because it takes me AGES to prep because I still suck at everything, so I'm going to kind of take my prep time estimate what a normal person prep time would be.

Note: This was before it was cooked. I am a dingus and didn't take any after pictures because I got excited and ate it. I didn't even think about it because I'm not used to taking pictures of my food before I eat it. Sorry! I'll hopefully get better. 

Baked Salmon & Asparagus (Gluten Free and Dairy Free)

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Cook time: 25 minutes 

Ingredients

4 (6oz) skinless salmon fillets
1 lb asparagus
1 shallot, sliced into thin rings
4 cups spinach
1 lemon thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
Salt & black pepper
Thyme sprigs

Instructions 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F
2. Cut 4 sheets of aluminum foil about 14 inches long
3. Place 1 cup of spinach in the center of each sheet of foil *
4. Divide asparagus equally and place in the center length of foil (about 6-8 pieces per sheet) on top of spinach 
5. Thinly slice shallot into rings and scatter on top of the portions of asparagus
6. Mix together garlic and oil in a bowl, and drizzle 1 tsp over each group of asparagus and shallots. Season each group with salt and pepper. 
7. Rinse salmon and season the bottoms with salt and pepper, then lay each fillet over asparagus. 
8. Drizzle tops of salmon with 1 tsp olive oil and garlic mixture and season with salt and pepper. 
9. Place 2 thin lemon slices and 1 thyme sprig over tops of fillets 
10. Enclose the salmon in the foil by wrapping the sides inward and folding the tops and bottoms in. 
11. Place in single layer on baking sheet in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. 

*I did not do this, but we had leftover spinach and I thought about it and when I brought it up with John after he said I totally should've done it. I'm 99% sure it would be delicious. 

Again, I'm sorry for the lack of "after" pictures, this one was taken before it was cooked. I got too excited and ate before I even thought about taking a picture. 

I think this is the perfect thing to make if you need to get yo green on. John is obsessed with this spinach and goat cheese stuffed meatloaf that I make, and even though I use way more spinach than the recipe calls for, we are left with a boatload of spinach that I have to find a use for. As I said earlier, I totally should've put a bed of spinach underneath the asparagus. 

He has discovered that he really likes spinach chips though, so I guess that solves that problem. 

Anyway, I need feedback on my recipe post formatting please! I'm horrible at giving directions so let me know if these are unclear, as I'm sure they are. I'll try to fix them if they are. 

Do you have a favorite way to eat salmon? I'm on the hunt for new salmon recipes! 

Color Crush: Plum

Good morning everyone! I hope everyone has had a lovely start to their week. I was browsing Pinterest the other day (avoiding studying), and I realized that I have a new color obsession: plum. My fall colors usually consist of black, grey, sometimes dark green or dark blue, boring, boring, boring. But I think I'm going to give in to my color crush and find some cute plum merch.

See what I mean? That scarf needs to be MINE. I'd rock some plum colored nail polish too, but I don't think I'm brave enough to try the lipstick. It looks fabulous but my lips are too dry to pull it off. Your chapped lips could be seen across the room if you're wearing dark lipstick. Exfoliating and moisturizing sometimes just doesn't cut it unfortunately. 

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I'm all about a lace dress or scarf in this color though. Totally perfect for fall, and it will transfer seamlessly into the winter months as well. 

Just a side note, as I was writing this I realized I've never actually eaten a plum (I may have, actually. I just don't remember). But I'm intrigued now, it's just not something I think to get when I'm at the grocery store. Maybe I'll try to make a plum pie or a plum mojito or...barbecue plum sauce...I'm looking at you, Pinterest. 

So, what do you think? What is your favorite fall color right now? Also, feel free to leave any plum recipes you have. 

Have a Little Cinco de Mayo Get Together!

Cinco de Mayo is in 2 days! I've never had a big party for Cinco de Mayo, but a little get together with your best friend tequila and the rest of your group sounds more like fun. I imagine having a big party and lots of tequila could go very wrong very fast.

Everything you need is easy to get last minute. 

Something you should consider getting this summer: an underwater camera! I really like pool pictures, if you can get your hair to cooperate they look awesome. 

Of course you can't have Cinco de Mayo without margaritas and nachos! Rosemary lemon margaritas are delicious. The girls over at The Sequin Notebook put the idea of a DIY nacho bar in my head. Why have I never thought of that before? 

Do you have any Cinco de Mayo plans? 

Inspired by: Jelly Bellys!

John is in class so I got a hold of my computer to do a post while I can! The Blogger iPad app is way too frustrating. 

I don't like normal jelly beans, but I do love some Jelly Bellys. 50 whole flavors to choose from! Even though some of them are really gross, the good ones are good. My favorites are Tutti Fruitti,  Strawberry Daiquiri, and Mixed Berry Smoothie. The super fruity ones of course. So here is a post in honor of these (mostly) good candies! Enjoy your sugar high! 

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A Jelly Belly cocktail seems like a pretty good idea! Actually cocktails in general are always a good idea. I found this one on Tablespoon.com and changed it up a little bit. It sounds almost too sweet, so I probably wouldn't be able to drink more than one. It's a cute Easter/girls night/cocktail party/other occasion drink though. 

Ingredients

3 oz cotton candy flavored vodka

1/4 cup Bubblegum and Very Cherry Jelly Bellys

2 oz orange flavored liquor

ice

optional: 6 red and pink Jelly Bellys (you choose the flavors) and lemon slices

Directions

1. Place 2 martini glasses in refrigerator 1 hour before serving. In small bowl, pour vodka over 1/4 cup Jelly Bellys. Cover and refrigerate. 

2. Fill martini shaker with ice. Shake the bowl with the vodka and Jelly Bellys. Strain into shaker and discard Jelly Bellys. Add liquor and shake well.

Optional: add 3 Jelly Bellys to the bottom of each glass and garnish each with a lemon slice.

3. Serve immediately and enjoy! 

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I'm almost disgusted with myself for making an outfit this girly. But how can you not with a name like Tutti Fruitti?? I was thinking about heels with the dress but I think the blue Vans are adorable. This would've been a super cute Easter outfit but it's still wearable for spring/summer.

A little less girly, a little more polished. I LOVE lace shorts for this summer. Reminder: get as much use out of your blazer as you can before it gets too hot! But for real I'm really loving lace this season. Actually I love lace every season but I am in dire need of some lace shorts/lace skirt. 

Well I hope you got a sugar high just from reading this post. I have a jar of Jelly Bellys over on my desk that I'm going to go devour now. 

If you did end up trying the only water this week challenge, how are you doing? I was actually doing alright with my water consumption up until I wrote that post. I guess thinking about it made me really crave a sweet tea and a coke. Ah well, back to water I go I guess. I hope.

Don't forget, giveaway coming soon! I have most of the items collected, just waiting for a few more! 

What's your favorite Jelly Belly flavor?