Paleo-Salmon in Honour of Geoff

As a long-suffering follower of the daretotrilife blog you know how concerned I am that people don't eat enough salmon. It is simply a mystery why intelligent (often "type A")  people - given a choice and free-will would select beef over salmon, or industrially-prefabricated chicken or even other fish over salmon. Yes, it's the long chain Omega 3's that make salmon nutritionally superior but that's not just it ... takes no time to cook, it tastes great, you can eat it hot cold, in a salad, in a sandwich or even in an ice-bath. So anyone "time crunched" between work, family and triathon knows that salmon is entirely appropriate for your lifestyle. Enough said.

Tomorrow the BBC Radio 4 Food Programme will select it's "Farmer of the Year 2010." A finalist is Geoff Kidd. He farms M&S Lochmuir salmon on the Isle of Mull here in Argyll and he's simply an inspiration. If you wanted someone to safeguard nutritional and animal welfare choices on your behalf then look no further than Geoff. Working with salmon over 30 years his team have the skills needed to deliver ethical, value for money and nutritionally "top notch" salmon fillets. I have known Geoff over the last 2 decades and he's very much his "own man" motivated by the highest of standards. You can taste how "uncompromising" he is when you eat M&S Lochmuir. And you should. Here's what the BBC website has to say ...

We all wish Geoff every sucess tomorrow and whatever the outcome it is fitting that this extraordinary farmer has received this national endorsement of his skill and dedication. Geoff we salute you. While now a national "food hero" I think of Geoff rather differently : like this perhaps... with frisky oilskins cut just above the ankle to show off the latest West-Coast Wellington fashion.

Post workout Paleo-Salmon For Geoff.

• Turn on the oven to 200C
• Shake these herbs into a bowl in approx these quantities & mix

1. pinch of salt
2. half tsp of black pepper
3. half tsp of chilli powder
4. quarter tsp of cayanne pepper
5. 1 tsp of paprika
6. 1 tsp of ginger
7. half tsp of corriander

• Grab yourself a pack of M&S Lochmuir skinless salmon fillets
• Place a heavy non-stick frying pan onto to warm up - moderate / high heat - 2 tbs of sunflower oil 
• Reflect how lucky you are & how good this is going to be
• Pat & dust the mixed spices into both sides of the salmon fillets
• Grab a bag of salad leaves from the fridge and add to a bowl
• Once hot (the pan - not the salad) add the salmon to the frying pan & sear
• This could get a little smoky - keep it moderately hot but don't let it burn : 2 mins 
• If you have a cat this is the point at which you'll have to chuck it out of kitchen. Cats appreciate Lochmuir salmon (*) It will try to tunnel back in so be vigilant. 
• 2 mins are up - turn the fillets. Enjoy the aroma.
• Think: "Did I wash my hands after chucking the cat ?"
• Fling some dressing on the salad leaves
• Slice some organic tomatoes
• Slice a pear
• 2mins are up : salmon goes into oven at 200C for approx 10mins (bit less if thin - if in doubt ask the cat - under no account put the cat in the oven - just the salmon)
• You get into shower
• You get out of shower
• Place cat the shower
• Serve salmon immediately with dressed salad, sliced tomatoes and sliced pear

This is a really quick & really nutritious paleodiet based meal. Hope you enjoy it. Nice and spicy on cold winter evenings. Good Luck Geoff.

*  Not just cats in fact. Good Housekeeping placed M&S Smoked Lochmuir in it's 2010 Christmas Top 3.