Cooks for a Cure

• By hhk
• October 1, 2012
• 2 Comments

“What’s for dinner tonight?”  Quite possibly the most frequently asked question in any household.  I’m sure you have scoured your cookbooks, pins from Pinterest, and gone through many online search engines to come up with ideas.  Well, a new cookbook is hitting the scene and not only will it contain yummy recipes, but it will also benefit a cause that is near and dear to many of us.

Earlier this year, an idea was born from a group of mothers who innocently began a virtual recipe exchange.  As recipes were swapped, more and more began surfacing and in true giving mother fashion, the idea arose, “What if we could share great food and also give back to those in need?”

My friends, I give you the 074ATE1 Cooks for a Cure project, where local Epicureans united to honor and support breast cancer victims and survivors.  This group created a hardcover cookbook, featuring 398 recipes in many categories such as appetizers, entrees, desserts, vegetarian, etc.

The 074ATE1 committee, led by Lynn Murphy, facilitated production of the cookbook while gaining overwhelming support from local businesses.  Sponsors have been hosting promotional events, sparking community excitement and increasing charitable contributions.    Proceeds of all book sales are being donated to the Avon Foundation for Breast Cancer Crusade.

“Everyone has some connection to breast cancer,” Murphy says, “whether we ourselves are a survivor or know a friend of a friend who was affected by it.”

Today, October 1, is LAUNCH DAY, coinciding with the start of Breast Cancer Awareness month.   You can place your order for your very own 074ATE1 cookbook via this link to show your support for this important cause (and of course add to your meal options).  Each order gets this group of passionate women even more motivated and excited to make a difference.  With amazing support already, as demonstrated by strong presales, it is likely the group’s base goal of raising $10,000 will be easily surpassed.

Until your cookbook arrives, here’s a little taste of one of my very own recipes, which will be featured in the cookbook.  This cancer fighting salmon is a beautifully visual autumnal orange which turns pink when done… a perfect fit for October Breast Cancer awareness month.  The sweet flavor of this salmon is also a big palate pleaser for kids too.    I made this the other night and included some pictures.  (Note: My dinner was feeding 3 so this recipe was halved.)

Maple-glazed Salmon
Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 1 cup 100% Pure Maple Syrup
• 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger root
• 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated garlic
• 2 bunches of scallions
• 2 lbs of salmon with skin on (preferably wild caught king, coho or sockeye)

How to make:
Simmer first 5 ingredients in a small saucepan for around 30 minutes until thicker. Let cool. (This can be made a few days ahead & refrigerated)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While oven is heating, rinse and arrange the scallions in a baking dish. Rinse whole salmon filet under cold water and pull out any bones that you can by running your finger along the spine.
Lay clean salmon filet (skin side down) on the bed of scallions. (HIP TIP: The onion family draws out the fishy taste of seafood. The scallions here are used for that purpose, so discard the scallions after baking.)
Cover salmon with around 1/2-3/4 of the previously made glaze and reserve the rest.
Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake salmon for around 20 minutes until cooked through. Glaze the salmon again with around 1/4 of the remaining reserve.
Remove the foil and switch your oven to broil.  Broil the salmon for another 5 minutes to crisp the top.
Serve with the reserved glaze drizzled on top.

What I love about this dish…
The taste is fantastic and goes great with any sides, but more importantly, it is power packed with nutrients!  Salmon is high in Omega-3 which is good for brain function, heart health, mood and body’s natural anti-inflammatory response. The ginger here is a nice bonus since it balances the GI system and boosts the immune system.

Hope you enjoy it.  Bon Appetit to your health!