Monday Mash Up

It's Monday and I have a confession....

Before I get started, I need to wish Mr. Spouse the happiest of birthdays.  Today's the big 4-0 and we've been celebrating his 4th decade of life all weekend long.  Those are the best kind of celebrations.  My parents kept the boys this weekend and I took Adam downtown for a little surprise party. We stayed at one of our favorite hotels and some of our favorite friends surprised him at a great little sports bar & grill, Tejas, before we hit the town.  The Astros & the Texans were playing that night, so it turned out to be the perfect set-up.  #winning  We woke up yesterday and went to brunch at Danton's with our friends and then headed back to mom & dad's for Sunday Funday with the family (cake & ice cream included).  Now we're getting this ready around the house to celebrate our favorite 40-year-old when he gets home from work tonight.  Mercy!

I haven't quite decided what's on the menu this evening, but I can guarantee that cake will make an appearance.  I'm thinking of something along the lines of seafood.  It's definitely one of our favorite fares.  This summer we ate tons of it.  Lots of fish and shrimp and our favorite bottom feeders, crawfish :)  This salmon dish right here was one of our FAVORITES.  So full of flavor and easy to prep!  We paired it with roasted asparagus and a little lemon juice and we were in seafood heaven.  If you like salmon, you would LOVE this dish!

BAKED LEMON GARLIC HERB CRUSTED SALMON

slightly altered via My Natural Family

3 oz. butter

1 tsp. salt

Zest of 1 lemon

1/2 TBSP. dried parsley

1 tsp. dried dill

2 cloves garlic, chopped

4 salmon filets

As I said earlier, this is a really simple meal to prep and bake!  And y'all...SO full of flavor!!!

First up, go ahead and preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Combine butter, salt, lemon zest, parsley, dill, and garlic in a small microwaveable bowl.  Heat in the microwave until the butter is melted, stir, and brush on the top of each salmon filet with a pastry brush. 

Bake at 400 for about 12ish minutes or until the salmon is cooked through.  

DELISH!!!

This was, by far, one of our most favorite recipes of the summer and now that I'm looking at these pictures I'm thinking this would be perfect for tonight's birthday dinner.  As for my two little boys, they'll have to settle for chicken nuggets and broccoli.

#notfansoftheseafood #acquiredtaste

Now I need your help.

I've been thinking about trying out some of those deliciously appetizing food box delivery services and I need to know what's the best.  I've been doing my research, but I'd love to hear what you like if you use them, too.  Since Mr. Spouse will only be home for dinner 3 nights a week, these food boxes would be perfect for us.  I love the idea of not having to meal plan.  And I love that the ingredients for each dish are already pre-measured (I have issues cooking for 2.  #Ialwaysovercook #leftoversfordays).  Another draw for me is finding new and different foods. I love the idea of trying things I normally wouldn't venture to try on my own for fear of not being able to find the ingredients at our little grocery store.  So far I've found Plated, Blue Apron, & Hello Fresh.  Am I missing anything???