Grilled Salmon with Garlic Basil Butter

Return to your rest, my soul, for the 

Lord has been good to you. 
Psalm 116:7

Food for the Palate

2 Salmon fillets

4-6 garlic cloves, zested

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 Tbsp butter, room temperature

1 lemon, quartered

Instructions:

Using a food processor or a blender, put the room temperature butter, zested (or minced) garlic and basil with a pinch of salt into the mixer and blender together well. Remove once the butter is well combined with the basil and garlic. Set aside or put in fridge. 

Pat the salmon dry. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, olive oil and lemon juice on both sides of the salmon. Make sure the grill is nice and hot. You may want to brush some oil on the grill to help the salmon to not stick. Cook salmon for 4 minutes and turn over onto the other side. Cook for another 4 minutes and halfway through, add the butter to each of your fillets.

Tasty to the Palate!

Food for the Soul

According to tradition in Greek Orthodox churches, the Holy Empress Helena, Mother of the Saint and King Constantine, found the location of the Cross Jesus was crucified on by digging for it under a large growth of basil. Basil plants were alleged to have sprung up at the foot of the Cross where the blood of Christ fell, along with the tears of the His mother, Mary. 

I am not so sure that the legends above are true, but I do know that basil is one of my absolute favorite herbs. Whether adding it to marina sauces, salads or using it to enhance your favorite dish, it is a sweet and delightful way to bring a fresh and exciting dimension to your palate. I highly recommend using fresh basil when possible. The smell alone is intoxicating. Hold a bouquet of fresh basil up to your nose and inhale deeply into the bright green leaves. Every time I do this, I have a warm and comforting sensation that brings me a feeling of calm and serenity. Ah...it is simply divine.

I know that not everyone will have the same experience with basil as I do when it comes to its wonderful calming effect, but it is important for all of us to find serenity and tranquility on a regular basis. And sometimes we can do just that in the simple, little things that we have often forget bring us those moments. Psalm 116:7 tells us, "Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." Our body and soul were made by our heavenly Father and He tells us in His Holy Word that we need to find rest. And we can find this rest for our souls sometimes in the simplest ways like enjoying a moment that makes you smile, a hug from a child, the smell of your favorite flower, watching a butterfly flutter, cuddling with your family pet or inhaling your favorite herb, like I do!

There are so many ways for us to find rest and a sense of calm serenity, if we just take the time to soak in the moment. But the most important way to enjoy these sweet things that cross your path is by recognizing the Creator that brings these precious moments to you. True peace and serenity come from Him. God wants us to find comfort, peace, and serenity in the things that He gives to us. This is just one of a billion ways that He says, "I love you".  I recently came across the original serenity prayer. This prayer was written for a sermon by a Christian theologian named Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr in 1932. 

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. 

The courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time.

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.

Taking, as He did, the sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will;

that I may be reasonably happy in this life, 

and supremely happy with Him forever. Amen"

In 1941 Alcoholics Anonymous modified this prayer to become their own "Serentiy Prayer" after it was discovered in the New York Herald Tribune for an obituary notice. Biblically speaking, there are some tremendous thoughts stated in this prayer and it is very helpful for Christians to pray and meditate on. The serenity prayer speaks of a life lived in calm, courageous faith in God. And what could be better than that? Ah....He is simply divine! Satisfying to the Soul!