Lifes seemingly mundane moments bring joy in messy month of April </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 8:18 PM on Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Lifes seemingly mundane moments bring joy in messy month of April

This past week I was treated to several wonderful surprises. Returning from a walk on the Homer Spit one afternoon, I looked up to see two trumpeter swans gracefully making their way from the head of Kachemak Bay to Beluga Lake. I was in the right place at the right time to see them make their spring entrance back into Homer. These beautiful birds surely signal spring's arrival, on whatever warm or snowy weather it glides in on.

Our neighbors have a sweet dog named Tia. She is one of many black dogs who live and play on our road. Recently our neighbor paid us a visit to ask if we had seen Tia, as she left to go on a walk with them, got tired and decided to turn around and go home, as is her customary routine when her owners go out on a long jog. She never returned home though. We were all so sad, fearing the worst, but the story has a happy ending. She was wandering around on the road above us, a kind neighbor saw her and realized she was confused and lost. He took her in for the night, and the next day took her to the shelter, where she was later reunited with her owners who had called there looking for her. What a nice surprise to find out she is back home safe.

Other fun surprises were: finding a gorgeous red rock on the beach, having people tell me how much they still enjoy my column, having my two best friends both come back from vacation, getting a week night invitation to dinner, getting an e-mail from an old friend, having the barista at my favorite coffee shop hand me my "usual" as I walked in the door for the first time, and getting extra hugs from my kids all week. Then there were the surprises that came in the mail. I received a box from a great shoe store in Juneau that I'd ordered this snazzy pair of boots from. The surprise was that it contained only one boot. We enjoyed a good laugh over that one. My mom-in-law sent us some locally made Easter chocolates from Wisconsin that are delicious. A new cookbook arrived that I had wanted to get for more than two years.

Each time I get a new cookbook, every recipe in it is a surprise. All parts of this recipe can be prepared in advance, so when you are enjoying an evening of entertaining, you might be a little surprised to have extra time to actually spend with your guests.

Spring Salmon and Asparagus Salad

Serves 6
Wonderful spring ingredients of fresh asparagus, dill and salmon are combined and then dressed with a rich and tangy dressing to make a lovely surprising and light spring dish.
Salad ingredients:
1 cup white wine
1 1/2 pound wild Alaska salmon filet
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 leaves Boston lettuce
18 leaves Belgian endive
30 asparagus spears, cooked crisp tender and cooled
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

Dressing:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
Pinch of salt

For salmon: Remove all bones from salmon. Season salmon with salt and white pepper. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Wrap salmon in foil, closing edges tightly by folding several times.

Fill a large, deep saute pan with water. Add white wine and bring to a gentle boil. Place salmon package in water and poach for 4 minutes. Turn package over with tongs and poach 4 minutes more. Do not allow water to boil rapidly. Remove package from water and check salmon for doneness. Do not be alarmed if water has seeped into package. Cut salmon on the diagonal into 6 equal portions. Allow to cool.

For dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients and whip with a wire whisk until cream is very thick and almost forms peaks.

To serve: Place 2 lettuce leaves on each plate. Top with 3 endive leaves and 5 asparagus spears arranged in a fan-like semi-circle. Lift salmon portions from foil with spatula, leaving skin behind. Place salmon on top of salad. Spoon dressing over salmon and sprinkle with dill. Serve immediately.

Hopefully your surprise of the week won't be finding a hard boiled Easter egg that has been in hiding since last Easter. Happy Spring and here's to no more surprises from Mother Nature in the snow and ash division.