-11 in Hawaii

It's cold.

Really cold.

Have I survived colder conditions, yes.  For some reason, cold always seems colder at the beginning of winter.  Give me 20 degrees in January and I will probably be rejoicing over the heat.  However, 20 degrees now feels downright bone-chillingly frigid.  Anything below zero translates into a feeling that most accurately can be described as what negative Kelvin must feel like.

Now most people hole up in their homes and eat warm soups, hot dishes (aka casseroles), and drink hot drinks.  I am going to Hawaii.

Not really.  I am going to do my best to pretend though.  Hawaiian BBQ Salmon Burgers with Coconut Caramelized Pineapple and Corn, Mango and Edamame Salad.  Aloha!

Hawaiian BBQ Salmon Burgers with Coconut Caramelized Pineapple

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
• 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• pinch of cayenne
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pound fresh, raw salmon (skin removed)
• 1/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 4 slices swiss cheese
• pickeled jalopenos (optional)
• 4 king hawaiian hamburger buns or whole wheat buns, toasted
• 1 avocado, sliced or mashed (optional)
• lettuce

Coconut Caramelized Pineapple

• 2 tablespoon coconut oil
• 4 large pineapple rings (preferably from a fresh pineapple)
• 2 tablespoon toasted coconut (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl combine the BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper and mix well to combine. Set aside for later.
2. Add salmon to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until it’s somewhat ground. You can also chop the salmon very finely with a sharp knife.
   
3. Remove and add salmon to a bowl with the panko bread crumbs, parmesan and 2 tablespoons of the hawaiian BBQ sauce from step 1 (save the rest for serving) and mix with a spoon until just combined. Form into 4 equally sized burgers. Heat a skillet (or grill) over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of coconut oil. Cook burgers on each side until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side. During the last minute of cooking add the swiss cheese and the jalapeños, if using.
   
4. In a separate skillet heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and place the pineapple slices in the pan. Cook for about 3-4 mins, flip and cook another 3-4 minutes.
   
5. To assemble place a piece of lettuce on the bottom of a bun, then the burger, mashed or sliced avocado and a ring of pineapple. Drizzle each burger with the remaining Hawaiian BBQ sauce. 









I didn't put the coconut on my pineapple but this would be a nice addition (Jason affectionately calls coconut "saw dust" so I graciously left it out).  If you like it spicy, definitely add the jalapenos.   I also used pre-made guacamole since there were no ripe avocados at the store.  You can find the original recipe at: http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/hawaiian-bbq-salmon-burgers-with-coconut-caramelized-pineapple/




Corn, Mango, and Edamame Salad

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen shelled edamame
• 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (from 2 large ears)
• 1 1/2 cups mango cubes
• 1 cup chopped tomato (about 1 large)
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

  Mix it all together and eat!  Super easy and delicious!







I did not have any fresh mango for this so I used frozen and it was still good.  You could also use frozen corn.  I used sweet cherry tomatoes and left them whole but you can use any tomato you have available.  Original recipe can be found at: http://ble.at/recipes/1090/corn--mango--and-edamame-salad




Now all I have to do is take a bite, close my eyes, and use a little imagination.  That's about as good as it is going to get for now.  -11 in Hawaii.




Alaska Fun Facts: The hottest temperature ever recorded in Alaska is exactly 100 degrees which occurred on June 27, 1915 in Fort Yukon. This is the lowest hottest temperature of the 50 states and is also one half of the great weather trivia question Which Two States Have Never Been Above 100 Degrees?  The coldest temperature ever recorded in Alaska is -80 degrees which occurred on January 23, 1971 in Prospect Creek Camp. That is the lowest temperature ever recorded in the United States and second lowest temperature ever in North America. Surprisingly the site that receives the highest average annual snow each year in the United States is not in Alaska though the Frontier State does have the 2nd highest snowfall site.

Indolence at its Best!

"I like the word 'indolence.'  It makes my laziness seem classy."  - Bernard Williams

It would seem that every year around this time I experience "seasonal transition disorder."  If this ever becomes a real thing, remember where you heard it first!  Symptoms may include but are not limited to the following: wanting to do nothing more than to settle in on the couch with a good book or movie all day every day, napping 2-3 times a day, and/or an aversion to engaging in any activity that requires concentration or effort (see the date of my last blog!).  Treatment of this disorder varies from subject to subject.  This year, I found my cure with our first snow.  Now, I am not necessarily someone who loves the snow but this year I found it so refreshing! 

Sniper enjoying the new snow.

Now that it has snowed, we are getting some activity at our bird feeder.   A couple of nuthatches were our first customers.  We have added a suet bird feeder this year and they are loving it!  They are also fearless little birds and let us get really close.  Jason tried feeding one out of his hand but, alas, he is no Cinderella.

Nuthatch

During this period of indolence, Jason and I were able to complete a project that I had been thinking about doing for a while, a wood pallet headboard for our bed.  Being an avid pinterester, I had seen this on many posts and thought that would be great for our room and definitely within our abilities.  It was also an affordable option.  We spent less than $30 on supplies but we had some spare lumber and staining supplies on hand.  We figure we would have spent less than $50 total if we would have had to buy everything.  Jason hooked me up with some pallets and physical labor and I provided the supervision.  It turned out great and now we are planning some matching nightstands!

Please ignore my lack of a bedskirt!

Now that I am in motion, I should stay in motion.  More projects, more cooking, more blogs!  

Alaska Fun Fact: The record snowfall in Alaska was set at Thompson Pass, north of Valdez the winter of 1952-1953. That year 974.5 inches of snow fell there.

Bernard Williams
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/laziness.html#6zpLi6QURbyLJLFD.99