Pan Seared Salmon with Creamy Pesto Sauce

I have set you an example that you 
should do as I have done.   John 13:15

Food for the Palate

Ingredients:

4 skinless salmon fillets

garlic - minced 

1 Tbsp olive oil

salt

pepper

1/2 tsp sweet paprika

1 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup of milk 

4 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup of pesto sauce

                                                 

Pesto:

1 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup pine nuts

1/2 cup olive oil

1 Tbsp lemon juice

6 gloves of garlic 

1 1/4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup Pecorino cheese-grated

Instructions:

To make your pesto sauce throw everything into a food processor except for the olive oil. Start your processor on low chop and slowing add your olive oil.  Don't salt and pepper until you are finished. The cheese is salty, so you want to taste first. I like tiny chunks of garlic and pine nuts, so I don't puree mine. Set aside.

Now it is time to prepare and cook your salmon. Salt and pepper both sides of your salmon. Sprinkle sweet paprika on both sides as well. Add your olive oil to your sauté pan on medium-high heat. Add  your fillets to the pan and sear on each side for two minutes. We like our salmon medium rare, but if you want yours medium add an extra minute to each side of your searing. Set aside your salmon on a plate close to you.

Add minced garlic and butter to your hot sauté pan on medium heat. Once butter is melted add your milk, cream cheese and pesto sauce to the pan. Lower your heat and simmer until your sauce starts to thicken. Once the sauce is the thickness that you want it to be, remove it from heat. Place your salmon fillets back into the sauté pan and spoon the sauce over the top of the salmon. It is ready to eat!

I served mine with roasted veggies. Tasty to the Palate!

Food for the Soul

We love salmon in my house, and we eat it usually twice a week. Fish in general is loaded with important nutrients, such as protein and vitamin D. And we can't forget the amazing source of omega-3 acids, especially in salmon! 

Eating fish dates back to the beginning of time. Fish was such an important part of Biblical times that the fish symbol became a very common symbol during the early days of Christianity. During the time in Rome when people were put to death for their Christian faith, they had to worship in secret places. Christians would paint or draw a fish on the outside of the doors of their houses so that other Christians would know that this house was a safe and welcoming place for fellow believers in Jesus Christ. The ancient catacombs in Rome are still filled with images of fish that were carved by Christians that were hiding from persecution. 

It is very common in the United States of America to see cars with fish symbols on the back of them today. While this isn't done in secret and we aren't put to death for our faith, it is a message to others that says, "I am a Christian".  I have often wondered if the Christians that put their fish symbols on their cars realize that the world is watching us, and how we act whether driving or not is showing others who we really are as Christians? I believe that there is a responsibility that comes with showing the Christian fish symbol to those that see it.

Years ago we lived in St. Louis, Missouri while my husband was finishing his education to become a pastor. St. Louis was the biggest city that we had lived in up to that point in our adult lives. While it is a wonderful city, it is big! The freeways were very intimidating to drive on at first for me. I found myself being very passive and anxious when I would have to drive them. Fortunately, it didn't take long for me to start to become more comfortable behind the wheel on those busy city streets. But there is one day that will forever be etched in my mine.

I was merging onto the freeway behind another car. As I positioned myself on the road and made sure that I was flowing right along with everyone else, I notices a fish symbol on the car in front of me. By the way, I literally felt like a fish out of water at times trying to maneuver those crazy freeways! Anyway, below the fish symbol on the bumper of the car in front of me was a sticker that said "Honk if you love Jesus." So naturally I honked!

My honk was just a friendly tap on the horn that said, "Hey there, I see you and I am with you." I eased my way immediately into the left lane to pass the fish-totting vehicle and turned my head to give a reassuring smile to the driver. To my surprise I didn't get a smile or a wave back. Instead I got his middle finger instead. Needless to say I was very shocked and even saddened to receive such an unwelcomed gesture.

That car, the driver, and his nasty finger made a very important impression on me. Maybe he was borrowing the vehicle from someone else, and he had no idea that the back of his car was covered with Christan symbols and messages. What I do know for sure is that I am glad that it was me that got his finger and not an unbeliever! 

Scripture teaches us how to behave. And in John 13:15 Jesus says; "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done." I am very sure that Jesus was not using His middle finger when He was pointing us to our Heavenly Father!

I know that being a Chrisitan involves a lot more than sticking a fish symbol or bumper sticker on your car.  Following Jesus and calling ourselves Christians is a responsibility that we should always take seriously.  Of course, the inside of a person's heart is the tell all as to whether or not they are actually Christians. I know that a fish symbol can be a wonderful way of proclaiming your faith, but I also know from experience, that as Christians we need to make sure that we are modeling Jesus to others in a Christ-like, loving way. C.S. Lewis wisely points out; "When we Christians behave badly, or fail to behave well, we are making Christianity unbelievable to the outside world."

So, is it necessary to put a fish symbol on the back of your car? Of course not! Can you? Yes, by all means! But just make sure that when you sit behind the wheel of your car that you are using your index finger to point heavenward to Jesus when someone gives you a friendly honk! Praise the Lord, we no longer need a secret fish symbol to let others know about our faith. Besides, our lives should already be reflecting that truth to others. Amen? Satisfying to the Soul!