I'm fairly certain that this means the "trial" gourmet series will focus on quick and easy meals over the next few weeks - not that the focus was "elaborate and complicated" to begin with, but you know what I mean...

This weeks recipe/meal was super simple to throw together, but surprisingly tasty and healthy (healthier if you remove some of the butter!). It was perfect for the end of my first day back at work. Nothing fancy - just good food minus the frills. And I was pretty happy with how it looked on my plate... doesn't it just feel nice to eat a meal that looks nice?

• Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
• Prepare green beans to steam (cut off tips if that's how you like them)
• Butter the bottom of a casserole dish, place 4 small salmon filets in dish (skin-side down)
• Melt 3 tablespoons of margarine (or butter) in a small glass dish. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of paprika. Pour mixture over fish.
• Place dish in oven for 15-20 minutes.
• Steam green beans and boil water for pasta.
• Add 2-4 tablespoons of pre-made basil pesto to the pasta.
• Check fish. Butter the beans. Serve.

That's it, that's all. The whole dinner preparation should take under 25 minutes from start to finish during which (while everything is cooking) you should have around 15 minutes to play with the kids, set the table or... do whatever you need to do!

a.o.k. "TIP": Try playing with the simple ingredients used for this meal. Replace the salmon filets with white fish filets, and the green beans with asparagus or brocoli and you'll have a whole new balanced (and just as simple) meal.

Not bad... if I do say so myself!

Enjoy!

A.