mountain valentines, salmon, pizza, shortbread cookies and fondue...oh my

Get ready for a super long post. Just a warning. 

The only good picture of day
(aka: before I fell down the mountain)

We got back from Colorado on Tuesday. It had it's ups and downs, but overall it was a really great trip. Downs: Skiing (more like falling and crying uncontrollably) down a blue the first run of the first day, not a good idea. Even though I've been skiing more than once, I am way out of shape and should have started on the bunny slopes. The rest of the day was good despite being very sore. The other down was the second day. It started out good. I checked out early and spent the rest of the day on the deck in the sun with some hot tea. Kevin boarded all day and only fell once, but the one time he fell he forgot to zip up the pocket that had the video camera in it. So it disappeared forever. AND this was a borrowed camera, so now we have to buy a new one to replace it. Not good! But the ups outweighed the downs! We got to spend a lot more time with David, Priscilla and Georgia (oh and Teague)... Got to see Kevin's sister Kerri and husband George... Went to the Denver Museum of Science and Nature which had a planetarium!...Ate some delicious food out and in...And got some hot tub time (much needed). 

Denver pho

Kevin, Georgia and David

Priscilla and I with our Valentine scarves

Valentine breakfast courtesy of David

My doggie Valentine :)

And last but not least I have a few recipes to share. The first is a collaboration of 3 different recipes, the second is my first original cookie recipe!!! The third is what I am making for recipe club tomorrow, and last is our belated Valentine fondue. Enjoy!
Crispy Dijon Salmon
Ingredients
2 salmon fillets 
juice of 1 lemon
dash salt
drizzle of olive oil
1 T. dijon mustard
1/4 cup panko or other type of bread crumbs
1/2 T. dried Italian herbs
dash garlic powder
1/4 cup grated parmesan 


Directions
Coat a small baking dish with olive oil. Preheat oven 425. Place salmon in dish, squeeze lemon on top and sprinkle with salt. Spread the mustard evenly over the top of both pieces. In a small bowl mix together bread crumbs, herbs, garlic powder and parmesan. Top each piece of fish with a mound of the bread crumb mixture. Bake 20 min. 


Notes
This is a mixture of like 3 different recipes. It's an interesting flavor. Kevin loved it! It would be good with a good green veggie like broccoli or brussel sprouts.


Shortbread Sugar Cookies (my own recipe!!!)
Ingredients
2 sticks unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
3 T. powdered sugar plus more for rolling
1 egg
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. lemon extract
1/2 t. almond extract
2 cups flour


Directions
Cream butter and sugars. Add egg, vanilla, lemon and almond. Mix until well combined. Add flour and mix until a sticky dough forms. Coat hands in powdered sugar and roll dough into round disks. Place on greased cookie sheet and chill 1-2 hours. Preheat oven to 325 and bake 15-18 min.


Notes
Yes, these disappear too fast to have a picture, but trust me they are beautiful little sugary treats to have with tea or anytime.


Quick Pizza Crust
Ingredients
1 1/4 t. active dry yeast
1 t. sugar
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups flour
1 T. dried Italian herbs
1 t. salt
2 T. olive oil


Directions
Preheat oven to 450. Dissolve yeast and sugar in water and let stand for 10 min. Stir together flour, salt and herbs. Add this to the water along with the olive oil. Beat until smooth and let rest for 5 min. Roll out on a floured surface, Top with favorite pizza toppings and bake on a cornmeal dusted pan 15-20 min. (You can also brush the crust with garlic butter...MMM!)


Notes
I made breadsticks out of this dough too. I added a little bit of garlic powder to the dough, brushed with garlic butter and added parmesan cheese on top. Just roll out like usual and cut into slices with a pizza cutter, bake only 10-15 min. 


Dark Chocolate Fondue
Ingredients
12 oz chopped dark chocolate (make sure it's NOT baking chocolate)
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
your favorite fruits, cubed pound cake, rice krispy treats, etc.

Directions
In a fondue pot slowly heat cream on low until bubbles form around edges. Pour in the chocolate stirring until melted and smooth. You can also add 1 T. of your favorite liquor such as Kahlua or raspberry schnapps. 

strawberries, pineapple, banana, blueberries
and pound cake for dipping