Salmon as Starter

When my daughter says she is “too tired to even chew,” I know exactly what she means. That is when we are in the mood for something deeply comforting and satisfying in minutes. This hearty salad needs only some good bread on the side. And some of the ingredients are optional or can be replaced with others.

Start with leftover cooked salmon or canned salmon. Break up the salmon in a large salad bowl. Chop up some hard-boiled egg and red onion or slice green onions and add to the bowl. Add frozen peas direct from the bag, chopped tomato, diced cucumber, diced celery, radish slices, fresh zucchini or summer squash slices or cubes--whatever is handy and fresh. You also can add fresh herbs such as parsley, tarragon or basil. Stir in a few tablespoons of low-fat mayonnaise and some lemon juice. Depending on how many are being served, add a bag of romaine lettuce and toss well. A nice sorbet with thin butter cookies from a box is a good finish.

P. MOHN

Brentwood

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