Start by buying some fresh *Pacific salmon fillets with skin. 99% of Atlantic salmon is farmed and dyed pink. This results in a flabby texture because the fish isn't getting the exercise or live food it needs to grow up naturally healthy and firm.
Let's start with the sauce. Warm a pan on med-low and add: Butter, thinly sliced leeks, and minced garlic. Cook until soft (about 5 minutes), then turn up the heat to medium and add vegetable stock, parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Let this simmer for another 5 minutes, then pour into a blender/food processor. Add dill and purée. That's that for the sauce. Time to cook the salmon fillets.
Heat olive oil in a pan on medium, and add 1 tablespoon of butter. *Butter has protein, which makes the salmon crispy and caramelized. Put the salmon in skin-side down and cook for approx 8 minutes. Watch the salmon; when you see its cooked half way through, flip it over, and let it cook for another 3 minutes, or until its sufficiently cooked (or uncooked) to your liking. Now pour the sauce over top & drizzle with fresh lemon juice.
Everybody knows that when your partner isn't giving you any, a romantic dinner can help set the mood. What people don't realize is that a dinner that's too fancy or "put on" can make the other person feel pressured to put out, and pressure gets you nowhere. The best way to get some lovin' is to provide comfort/food. And this recipe for Shepherd's Pie is as comfy as it gets.
Heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in pan on medium heat. Then add: thinly sliced shallots, minced garlic and sauté for 5 minutes. Add beef, season with salt and freshly cracked pepper, and cook for 10 minutes. Turn the heat up to med-high and crisp the meat for another 3-5 minutes (until the outside gets caramelized).
For the potatoes: slice up sweet yam and Yukon gold potatoes. Drop in salted, boiling water and cook until fork tender (about 15 minutes). Strain and mash potatoes with 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste.
Now let's put this Shepherd's Pie together: you can use individual ramekins or a big baking dish. (NB: Individual ramekins are better, they fake emotion better than a stripper at last call.) Spoon a thick layer of meat into the bottom of the ramekin. Add a thin layer of sweet corn niblets. Add a thin layer of creamed corn. *I'm not a fan of creamed corn on its own, but I use it only/ specifically in Shepherd's Pie because it makes it deliciously juicy. Add a thick layer of mashed potatoes. Broil in the oven for 10 minutes/ until the top is golden brown.
Serve with Rum & Cherry Coke. Lots of rum... and cherry coke ;).