Gorgeous RI Weather
The weather in Rhode Island has been exceptional lately, with each day getting warmer and sunnier. Today's temperature was around 75 with a light wind out of the southeast. The sunny day and bright blue sky made the water look even more intense, making a great backdrop for white billowy sails. There's been a flurry of activity at the marina as all the impatient boaters want their boats in the water and ready yesterday! Kids and dogs and sailors. They all seem to go together!
Cherry Blossom Sling Margaritas
Living on the water as we do, We don't take the weather for granted. When the sun shines and the temps rise, there's only one thing to do. Break out the margaritas and have a dock party! And that's exactly what we did! John dug out our folding dock chairs and set them up on the dock next to "Nirvana". Out came the folding table (everything has to be very compact on a boat) and the margaritas! As I was browsing the Williams-Sonoma store near us one day, I noticed a new Margarita mix called "Agave 15 Margarita Mix". They had a few different flavors, but the one that tempted me the most was Cherry Blossom Sling! It was soooo red and luscious looking. According to Williams-Sonoma, "Cherry Blossom Sling creates a sweet-tart scarlet margarita that pairs Key lime with the juices of Bing, Lapin and Sweetheart cherries." That's good enough for me! I had to have it. ($16.95 for a 32 ounce bottle) On the way home, I stopped for a bottle of Jose Cuervo Tequila ($16.95) to mix with it. The 2 bottles made enough to serve a crowd! We poured it over the rocks and darned if I didn't forget the salt!
Cheers!
Here's John toasting all you poor landlubbers! Unfortunately, there's no way I can prove I was at this party as I was the one taking pictures! You'll just have to trust me on this one!
Look at those gorgeous boats in the background. They're not ours.
To go with our pretty red margaritas, we had Green Mountain Gringo Salsa and tortilla chips from Vermont.
Marinated Salmon & Brown Jasmine Rice
The entree was a huge slab of Atlantic Salmon. I really don't like salmon at all, but since we're trying to eat more fish, I decided to try it once more. This time I marinated it in a garlic, wine and herb packaged mix that you add water, vinegar and oil to. I slid it right into a Ziploc bag (the fishy never touched my hands) and it stewed in the marinade for about 30 minutes. I like to grill the fish outside cause I just don't like stinkin' up the insides of my boat! But grilling fish can be a real bummer if the fish flakes off and slides into the coals! To remedy this problem, we've taken to grilling our fish in a heavy-duty foil packet. I slid the fish onto a big piece of foil (again, the fishy never touched human hands) and topped it with sliced onions, yellow peppers and juicy red tomatoes.
Doesn't it look delicious? I folded the foil at the top and pinched off the sides and it was ready to take to the grill. John cooked it for about 20-25 minutes ~ it doesn't take long. Check it a few times cause there's nothing worse than dry salmon!
I served it along side a wonderfully fragrant brown jasmine rice and Ginger-Lime Sauce. It was awesome! There was virtually no clean-up because the foil packet went right in the garbage!
And the best part? We ate it "Just sittin' on the dock of the bay, Wastin' time"!
(Otis Redding recorded the lyrics to his song "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" just a few days before a plane crash took his life in 1967.)
I haven't been able to get ENOUGH of this gorgeous weather! My kids don't want to come inside! I'm glad you were able to enjoy it! :)
Posted by: Marni | April 20, 2008 at 09:31 AM
Dad looks so comfy out there in his chair, toasting us all!
That salmon looks AMAZING!!! I never realized that you didn't care for salmon all that much. You used to make it for the inn all the time and gave me your recipe for dill sauce, that we always have loved.
Posted by: Kerri | April 20, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Marni!
Yes it has been amazing, and today was even better than yesterday! We were back out on the dock again, this time with Screwdrivers!
What a life!
Posted by: Donna | April 21, 2008 at 01:14 AM
Hi Kerri!
Nope, never liked salmon, although I have been told mine is the best! I didn't make cucumber dill sauce this time, just marinated it.
Posted by: Donna | April 21, 2008 at 01:22 AM
That salmon looks really tasty! Just so you know, I have "bestowed" to you the Blogging with a Purpose award. You can see it here: http://sweetsbysarah.blogspot.com/2008/04/blogging-with-purpose.html.
Posted by: Sarah | April 21, 2008 at 09:23 AM
This looks so good! I love salmon. I usually make a veggie relish type thing and cook it all in the oven wrapped in foil. I will have to try your recipe the next time I make it.
Charmaine
Posted by: Charmaine | April 21, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Charmaine,
When I make the salmon, I use a simple McCormick mix. It's called Grill Mates and the flavor is Zesty Herb Marinade. The other one I use is the Wine & Herb Marinade. Both are good for fish, but can be used for pork, chicken and beef too.
I just dump all this in a big Ziploc bag:
1 packet of marinade mix
1/3 cup water
3 Tablespoons oil
3 Tablespoons vinegar
Marinate for 30 minutes and it's ready to grill!
Posted by: Donna | April 23, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Ooh I wish I were there! Looks beautiful! I can't believe you don't like salmon! I lived in Seattle for a long time and really learned to love salmon there. I like to marinate mine in soy sauce, fresh ginger, cumin, cayenne, and a little olive oil. Then grill it. It's sort of Asian, but not too..
Shawn K.
Posted by: Shawn Kreig | April 23, 2008 at 09:54 PM