If you read one of my recent posts about wishing for a simpler life, these pictures would illustrate perfectly what I envision doing were I to drop everything and move to the rural coast. It had been a couple of months since my last visit to Pescadero so I tagged along with my husband when he said he had a few things to do there yesterday. I packed my camera, some sunscreen and a hat, jumped in the truck and off we went early Friday morning.
Expecting him to be busy, I was fully prepared to keep myself company and reconnect with my husband at lunchtime. Instead, I hopped behind him on the quad, the all-terrain vehicle he uses to get around the area, and he showed me all the work he’s been doing. I listened and snapped pictures while he worked but everything was done at a leisurely pace. We explored the grounds. He showed me the little water basin against the hill where a handful of tadpoles currently reside. He showed me all the flowers that were in bloom; the air smelled so fresh and clean and when we rode by the patches of lemon verbena a lemony fragrance would waft from the ground. The apple trees were in full bloom, too, and the plum trees were dripping with marble-sized fruit. I went in search of the new resident–the wild turkey that I’ve heard so much about but no luck. I could hear her but she was either shy or had absolutely no interest in meeting me. I’ll have to bribe her with a treat next time.
When it was time for lunch I drove into town to pick up a sandwich and salad at the bakery. While they were being prepared I strolled over to a couple of shops across the street and browsed. I resisted the urge to buy yet another dish towel (prop for the blog) but I did walk away with a vintage pewter bowl that I can’t wait to use. Conversation with the shop owners was pleasant–everyone is so neighborly that you immediately feel like family.
With lunch in hand, I drove back inland to meet my husband where we ate al fresco before heading to the beach.
I’ve shared so many images here of this area that I wonder if you’ve grown tired of them yet. I haven’t and I don’t think I ever will. I want to capture every movement of the ocean, of the creatures that depend on it. Even if a picture can’t communicate sound, by looking at them I can remember the calls and cries of the seagulls, the barking of the seals from the rock that is their haven just beyond the state beach, the waves pounding on that rock. The effect is so calming that I find myself just wanting to linger for hours. Rain or shine, it’s always good to be there.
There is a marsh across the street from the beach, a protected area that my husband and I like to visit once in a while. In winter, the spot is a bird watcher’s paradise as migratory birds find refuge in the marsh. In April, the preserve is quite peaceful and with the place to ourselves, we walked a couple of miles along the narrow trail in waist-high wild mustard and soft rush (grass).
One of the perks of this walk was seeing the abundance of ladybugs on the flora. I stopped every few feet to try to capture their beauty but they were shy like the turkey. I was lucky to get a couple of decent shots, making the walk worthwhile despite seeing a couple of caterpillars on the trail–two too many for me. While I clicked away with my camera my husband scoped the landscape with his binoculars looking for anything and everything that might be interesting. It wasn’t long before I heard him cursing the raven who flew above us with an egg in its beak. He suspected it was a hawk’s egg and he was saddened by the great likelihood of the raven returning to the nest to steal the rest of eggs until there was none left.
Before heading home we stopped back in town for a few things I had my eye on. At Norm’s Market I picked up a jar of jam, a marinade, a tub of cheese spread, a couple of pounds of fresh sausages–all made on the premises–and finally, some locally grown asparagus and baby artichokes. On the drive home ideas formed in my head about how to put these items together and I brought them to life tonight. Since the two dishes were such a hit with me and my husband I’ll share them with you soon. For now, I’ll leave you with this simple dinner we enjoyed after spending one of the best days I’ve had in a long time.
A full day of walking, sunshine and work (in my husband’s case) left us too tired to primp and drive to San Francisco to meet friends for dinner last night so this happened instead. I cooked the fresh asparagus that I picked up on the coast with some leftover broiled wild salmon and rice and my husband and I were happy campers. If you haven’t tried salmon and asparagus this way before, you’re in for a treat. There’s something magical about the two of them together. I caramelized a shallot and threw my homemade chili sauce into the mix but you can leave both out if you wish. A drizzle of lime and soy sauce are all you need to complete this one-dish meal.
Asparagus-Salmon Fried Rice
Ingredients
- The amounts here are approximate but this dish is very flexible so feel free to adjust amounts to suit your taste
- 1/2 pound cooked salmon flaked
- 1/2 bunch asparagus ends trimmed then chopped in small pieces
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 2 eggs whisked
- 1 shallot chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce plus more for serving
- lime wedges for garnish
- freshly ground pepper
- chopped fresh chives for garnish
Instructions
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For the eggs: In the same skillet that you plan to stir-fry the rice, heat 1-2 teaspoons of oil over medium heat. Add the whisked egg and cook for a minute or two on each side. Remove from the pan and cut into small, bite size pieces. Set aside.
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For the rice: In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon of oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the chopped shallot and cook for a minute before adding the asparagus. Cook for a few minutes until the shallots start to caramelize and the asparagus is crisp-tender. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chili sauce then the rice. If your pan is too dry, add a bit more olive oil. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and the flaked salmon. Stir fry for another minute, just until the salmon is heated through then turn off the heat. Stir in the egg and plate in bowls. Garnish with chives and black pepper and drizzle with lime juice and a touch more soy sauce.
I can’t imagine a more perfect day, capped off with a delicious homemade dinner. Lovely photos, the beach is beckoning :).
What a beautiful day spent with nature – and at least two different ecosystems (if my distant memory of science class hasn’t failed!). 🙂 I love the marsh photos especially – they have an almost ethereal ambiance…
Love this asparagus and salmon dish too! (It’s amazing how much life limes bring to just about every course!)
awww, the ladybug is adorable!! Love the shots!! Your fried rice looks amazing!
I’m convinced. I say it’s time to move! What a wonderful way to spend the day, why not make it every day 🙂 And to top it all off, a fabulous fried rice. This is how life is meant to be.
Beautiful post Jean- I was just relaxing right there with you on the coast;-)
Now to try a bowl of your fabulous fried rice-looks just so delicious!
What a lovely, beautiful post. Your photos are stunning and it sounds like a lovely day! And the salad, well let’s just say I’ll take a double portion, YUM! So fresh and delicious sounding.
Mmmmm! I love the dish, Asparagus is hated by many but I love the stuff
Your pictures are breathtaking! What a gorgeous day and a delicious dish!!! It looks so amazing and I can’t wait to try it!!!
What a beautiful and peaceful day – love all the photos, and I’m going to try your combination of salmon and asparagus in fried rice.
Taking a break from our routine life to admire nature is a great way to refresh the mind an soul. Adore all the pictures, captured very well and the fried rice which which is so good till the last bite.
Stunning landscape, Jean! If I ever win the lottery, I’ll definitely buy a farm (preferable somewhere in Provence or Tuscany) and live a simple albeit a richer life! I’ll spend my days picking flowers, overseeing my olive trees, cooking from my garden, taking long leisurely walks, riding my bike to town or to pick up my kids from school, having a picnic with the kids in a vast field, then coming home to a wonderful meal prepared by the hubby…oh, but this is all a dream 🙂 Hope your dreams come true…
On a different note, your fried rice is an all-in-one dish that works for our family! Nice, bright colours 🙂
Beautiful photos Jean! I love the dish you made too, salmon is one of my favorite fishes to eat, sounds lovely with fried rice and Spring asparagus.
Nature is amazing. You are so lucky to live near so much beauty. Come to Indiana if you feel like looking at corn fields… there’s no end to them. 🙂
Fried rice is so damn good, and then you top it with my favorite veggie and fish… delish!!!
Healthy dishes and ocean breezes sounds like a combination to brush the stress of life away. I love fish and you photography makes this dish look irresistible. Can’t wait to try it out. Thank you!
Love Pescadero! I know you and your hubby love this place. The pictures speak a thousand words. Sorry you guys were too tired to make it to SF to meet your friends. Love how you whipped up a culinary delight – it looks divine!!!
I love this area of California. Your phots and dinner look absolutely delicious!
More proof that California is utterly spectacular! GREG
What a gorgeous day! I love that you can just go with him and you are close to places like that. We are close to the mountains, which is a different kind of beauty, but I am always mesmerized by the ocean.
Love the fried rice, great flavors!
It’s wonderful to escape to the country for respite from all the busyness in our lives! Stunning photos, Jean.
What a great day you had. And I hope you never tired of sharing such nature pictures. They’re lovely! And the rice sounds great. I’ve never actually had fried rice but I like the idea of it.
What a beautiful blogpost and that recipe looks amazing. I usually find great ricerecipes on Tilda basmati ‘s site http://www.tilda.com/public-recipe-category/dry think you would too