After a busy winter day there is nothing better than coming home to a delicious, ready-to-eat meal.

When gloomy weather has you feeling a little down, a warm and hearty meal can be so comforting. You can do all the prep in the morning – simply “Set it and forget it!”

Slow cookers are wonderful way to utilize tougher cuts of big-flavored meat. Think juicy brisket, flavorful chili, spicy chicken thighs, or a delicious lamb curry.

And crock pots aren’t just for entrees either. I also love to slow cook up a batch of overnight oats with brown sugar, orange zest, and dried fruits. Top it with some Greek yogurt, or coconut milk. Perfect to start off a lazy Sunday morning slipper day!

And the best part about these cozy meals? They make incredible leftovers!  So turn on your crock pot and let deliciousness simmer away! –Kathy

Slow-Cooker Citrus Maple Oatmeal
Be sure to use steel cut oats for this preparation. Serve with some fun toppings, like fresh blueberries or sliced bananas—and brown sugar for those who like their oats a touch sweeter.

Makes enough for 6 servings

3 Sunkist® Cara Cara Oranges, juiced
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups milk
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 cups steel-cut oats
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together orange juice, water, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt. Generously spray inside of a 3-4 quart slow-cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add oats and then pour in liquid mixture; stir. Set cooker to low heat and cook for 7-8 hours.

Recipe and Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios for Sunkist.

I’m a true Pacific Northwesterner and my love for delicious fresh salmon is in my blood. And there is nothing better than Alaska salmon.

Grilled, pan seared, or oven roasted – any way you serve it – this iconic fish is always a treat!

Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

That being said, I have a new favorite salmon preparation: Citrus Marinated Slow-Cooked Salmon. Quick to prepare for a crowd and oh-so-delicious!

Schmear a side of salmon with a flavorful mixture of mustard, honey, lemon zest, fresh herbs, and olive oil. Then lay out super thin slices of lemon and oranges and shaved fennel – alternating orange and lemon for a truly beautiful presentation.

Bake low and slow at 250^o F for about 40 minutes, depending on how thick your fillet is. This low-and-slow method makes for a very moist and succulent preparation and a great centerpiece for your next get-together.

And make sure to mark your calendars for August 10^th for Alaskan Wild Salmon Day! A fun day to try out your fave salmon dishes – looking for tips and ideas, try some of my d’lish salmon glazes below like my Chipotle Honey Glaze.

D’lish Salmon!
(Photo courtesy of Alaska Seafood Marketing)

So whether you’re smoking, grilling, or oven-roasting it, get your wild salmon on while it’s in season.
–Kathy

Sunkist® Citrus Marinated Slow-Cooked Salmon
This salmon preparation is perfect to serve to a crowd. Slices of citrus baked over the top, and the low-and-slow cooking method keep it moist.

Makes about 6 servings

Salmon
1 small side of salmon with skin, (about 2 – 2 1/2 pounds)
1 Sunkist® navel orange
1 Sunkist lemon

Marinade
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. local honey
zest of 1 Sunkist Lemon*
2 Tbsp. chopped minced fresh dill
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp. thinly sliced fresh chives
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F°.

Bring fish out of refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking. Cut 2 pieces of heavy-duty wide foil to fit a baking sheet pan. Stack the pieces shiny side down. Spray generously with cooking spray.

Pat fish dry with paper towels. Place the salmon skin side down in the middle of the foil. If the salmon is to long for your baking sheet or if the tail end is thin, tuck the tail under.

Slice the orange and lemon each into 8 thin slices. Set aside.

In a small bowl, mix together marinade ingredients. Spoon the marinade over the salmon, coating well.

Lay the sliced citrus over the top of the salmon arranging in a “scale-like” pattern. Cook salmon for approximately 40 – 45 minutes, depending upon desired doneness and the thickness of your salmon.

* To make lemon zest: Zest is the outer peel of the fruit with no white pith attached. You can make fine zest with a zesting tool, microplainer or fine grater.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios for Sunkist®.

Salmon Glaze Tips and Tricks
Glazing salmon is a delicious and fast way to add a punch of flavor. These easy stir-together toppings are perfect for keeping on hand in your refrigerator. Try drizzling some glaze on your salmon during the last minutes on the grill. Or if pan roasting, right after you flip the salmon in the pan, spread a tablespoon of glaze on the top and then finish in the oven. This gives the glaze time to get a bit golden and caramelize a little. Use about 1 tablespoon per portion of fish or about 1/3 cup on a side of salmon. You can always pass extra glaze for those that want a little more!

Molasses Marmalade Glaze
Makes a scant 1/2 cup

1/4 cup orange marmalade
2 Tbsp. molasses
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1 Tbsp. cider vinegar

Stir ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Brown Sugar Peanut Glaze
Makes about 3/4 cup

2 Tbsp. hot water
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. finely minced fresh ginger
6 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter

In a small bowl stir together the hot water, brown sugar and soy sauce. Then stir in the ginger and peanut butter until smooth. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Chipotle Honey Glaze
Makes a generous 1/2 cup

1/2 cup local honey
3 Tbsp. puréed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce*

Stir together in a small bowl until well combined. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

*To make chipotle purée: Purée a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with a hand blender, blender or food processor until smooth. Freeze any remaining purée for another use.

Recipes by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

It’s no secret that the poke trend is taking Seattle- and the entire country- by storm. And while it seems this hot craze is new to the scene, traditional Hawaiian poke has actually been around for centuries. Seriously- centuries!

So what makes poke so popular? Well it’s healthy, delicious, and so customizable! The raw fish salad is traditionally made with cubed ahi tuna, seaweed, onions, and an Asian inspired dressing made of soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. But these days poke shops offer much, much more- allowing YOU to tailor your experience! And living in the Northwest we also love our salmon poke. Just be sure to use Alaska Salmon that has been previously frozen for safety purposes.

Alaska Salmon Korean BBQ Poke
Here are some fun Poke recipes that we worked on!

And lucky for us- Seattle has some amazing poke restaurants that are a must-try! My go-to spot is Poke To The Max, created by the Hawaiian poke legend Chef Sam Choy. With locations in Tacoma, Hillman City, and 3 mobile food trucks that travel throughout the Seattle area- it’s easy to become a regular.

On August 21st you can really get your poke on at Chef Choy’s Seattle Poke Contest where dozens of local chefs will come together to prove that their take on the dish is the best. Expect live music, delicious food and drinks, and of course- lots and lots of POKE! And if that’s not enough to convince you- each ticket purchase benefits The Bennett Foundation, founded by Seattle Seahawk’s beloved Michael Bennett! So get out there and enjoy great food, for a great cause.

For more information and tickets to The Seattle Poke Contest, visit their facebook page! or get tickets here! -Kathy