Miso Salmon with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes and Lime Asparagus

Miso Salmon with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes and Lime Asparagus

CASE: So for my birthday dinner, I asked my boyfriend...fiancee...to make me dinner. Since we knew we wanted to do the spicy tuna on rice crackers, we felt certain that it had to be an asian-y dinner. I really planned the menu, but he cooked most of it. It turned out so delicious and everyone was so impressed with my sweetie! My brother was responsible for dessert, he brought cheesecake from La Mousse bakery. It's to die for. It's called the Creme Brulee Cheesecake and it is amazing. Tiny bits of real vanilla floating in light, sweet cream. And the crust...not too flaky, just sweet and slightly chewy. The whole cheesecake has a warm, bront, burnt sugar topping that just glistens. It's fabulous. Everyone agreed: Best Cheesecake Ever!

Wasabi Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:
3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 2-inch pieces
3/4 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon wasabi powder
1/4 cup butter

Preparation:
Place potatoes in large pot of cold salted water. Boil until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain. Return to pot; mash.
Combine 3/4 cup milk and 1 tablespoon wasabi powder in small bowl. Stir to dissolve powder. Add milk mixture and butter to potatoes. Using electric mixer, beat potatoes until fluffy and smooth. Season potatoes to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover and keep at room temperature. Rewarm mashed potatoes over low heat, stirring frequently.)

Miso Marinated Salmon

Ingredients:
1/2 cup light yellow miso
5 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 6-ounce salmon fillets

Preparation:
Preheat broiler. Blend miso, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce and cayenne pepper in processor. With machine running, gradually pour in oil; blend until mixture is smooth. Place salmon fillets in large bowl. Pour half of miso mixture over fish; toss to coat. Transfer to rimmed baking sheet.
Broil salmon 8 inches from heat until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Set oven at 450°F.; bake salmon until opaque in center, about 5 minutes. Divide salmon among 6 plates. Spoon Wasabi Mashed Potatoes alongside. Drizzle remaining half of miso mixture over salmon and potatoes, if desired, and serve.

Lime Asaparagus
Ingredients:
Asparagus
fresh lime wedges
salt
pepper
1 scant teaspoon olive oil

Preparation: Toss the asaparagus in olive oil and lime, and then layer on a flat cookie sheet. sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook simultaneous with the salmon on the lower rack. Comes out perfect.

VERDICT: Guilty of being delicious! The salmon is such a great recipe, and here's why: you can see the miso brown the PERFECT amount, and then it's time to reduce the heat. Perfect. It has these wonderful caramelized bits, and then you drizzle more sauce on top. It almost tasted like peanut butter. I wouldn't pour the sauce on top, take your fork and make pretty drizzles. Otherwise it is a little bit heavy.