A light, but filling smoked salmon salad for Mom
How many breakfasts in bed does it take for a mom to get sick of breakfast in bed on Mother's Day?
Rather than test the theory, I decided to go in a different direction this year. I wanted to create a light, yet still filling dish that would work well no matter what time of day it was served — brunch, lunch or dinner. And I wanted it to play nicely with whatever else was served.
The solution was deliciously easy — a salad of shaved fresh fennel and red onion tossed with a light dressing spiked with dill, whole-grain mustard and just a pinch of sugar. And heaped on top? Roasted new potatoes and a mound of thinly sliced smoked salmon dressed with lemon juice, olive oil and black pepper.
Mom doesn't like salmon? No worries. Substitute cooked and chilled shrimp. Or go crazy and serve a bit of each.
• J.M. Hirsch is the food editor for The Associated Press. He blogs at LunchBoxBlues.com. Follow him on Twitter @JM_Hirsch or email him at jhirsch@ap.org.