Careme Recipes

Location: Quality Food Center - North Mercer Island (7823 SE 28th St)

Crispy-Skinned Salmon with Lemon–Caper Butter, Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Smashed Potatoes

Crisp-skinned salmon with a punchy lemon-caper pan sauce feels restaurant-level, but it’s a 30-minute weeknight move. Served with roasted Brussels sprouts (winter-perfect in WA) and buttery smashed potatoes for a cozy, bright plate.

Ingredients

  • Fresh Atlantic whole salmon fillet (farm raised), cut into 2 portions 12 oz $12.99/lb
  • Kroger® Brussels Sprouts Halves 12 oz $3.99
  • Simple Truth Organic® Russet Potatoes 3/4 lb (about 2 medium) $4.49
  • Organic garlic (or Simple Truth Organic® Garlic Bulbs) 2 cloves $6.99/lb or $2.79/3 ct
  • Lemon 1
  • Capers 2 tbsp
  • Butter 2 tbsp
  • Olive oil 2–3 tbsp
  • Dijon mustard 1 tsp
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
  • Optional: parsley 1–2 tbsp chopped

Instructions

  1. Prep: Heat oven to 425°F. Pat salmon very dry; season both sides with salt and pepper. Rinse capers if very salty. Zest and juice the lemon.
  2. Prep veg: Toss Brussels sprouts with 1–2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper on a sheet pan. Roast 18–22 minutes, tossing once, until browned and tender.
  3. Cook potatoes (stove): While sprouts roast, cut potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Boil in salted water 12–15 minutes until very tender. Drain and return to pot; add 1 tbsp butter and a splash of olive oil, smash roughly, and season with salt and pepper. Cover to keep warm.
  4. Sear salmon (stove): Heat a skillet over medium-high with 1 tbsp oil. Place salmon skin-side down and press lightly for 10 seconds. Cook 4–6 minutes until skin is crisp and fish is mostly opaque up the sides. Flip and cook 1–2 minutes more (or to 125–130°F for medium). Transfer to a plate.
  5. Make pan sauce: Lower heat to medium. Add 1 tbsp butter and minced garlic; cook 30 seconds. Add capers, lemon juice (start with half), 2–3 tbsp water, Dijon, and lemon zest. Simmer 30–60 seconds; swirl in remaining 1 tbsp butter. Taste and adjust salt/pepper/lemon.
  6. Serve: Plate smashed potatoes and roasted sprouts. Top salmon with lemon-caper sauce (and parsley if using).

Health notes: ~850–950 calories per serving (varies with butter/oil). High protein and omega-3s; add extra sprouts for more fiber and keep butter moderate for a lighter plate.

Drink pairing: Wine: Washington State Chardonnay (e.g., Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Chardonnay) or a crisp WA Riesling.

Spiced Rockfish Tacos with Winter Cabbage–Cucumber Slaw & Lime Crema

A fast, satisfying fish taco night with a Pacific Northwest twist: flaky rockfish, crunchy winter cabbage, and a creamy-lime sauce. Everything cooks on the stove in under 40 minutes, and it’s bright enough to cut through February’s chill.

Ingredients

  • Fresh Rockfish fillet (Pacific caught) 12 oz $9.99/lb
  • Organic Green Cabbage 1/2 lb (about 3–4 cups shredded) $2.49/lb
  • Organic cucumber 1 $1.49
  • Organic Jumbo Red Onions (or yellow onion) 1/4 onion, thinly sliced $2.99/lb or $2.19/lb
  • Organic romaine lettuce (optional, for extra crunch) a handful, shredded $3.50 (sale)
  • Corn or flour tortillas 6 small
  • Lime 1
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt 1/3 cup
  • Mayonnaise (optional, for richer sauce) 1 tbsp
  • Chili powder 1 tsp
  • Ground cumin 1/2 tsp
  • Garlic powder 1/2 tsp
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
  • Neutral oil (canola/avocado) 1–2 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Prep slaw: Shred cabbage; slice cucumber into thin half-moons; thinly slice onion. Toss with a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime. Let it sit while you cook fish.
  2. Mix crema: Stir sour cream/Greek yogurt with 1–2 tbsp lime juice, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Add 1 tbsp mayo if you want it richer.
  3. Season fish: Pat rockfish dry. Mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; coat fish on both sides.
  4. Cook fish (stove): Heat a skillet over medium-high with 1 tbsp oil. Cook fish 2–4 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until opaque and flaky. Break into large chunks.
  5. Warm tortillas: Briefly warm tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a low gas flame (if available), 10–20 seconds per side. Keep wrapped in a towel.
  6. Assemble: Tortillas + fish + cabbage slaw (and optional romaine) + lime crema. Serve with extra lime wedges.

Health notes: ~650–800 calories per serving (depends on tortillas and sauce). Lean protein, lots of crunch/fiber from cabbage; keep sauce lighter by using Greek yogurt.

Drink pairing: Beer: a WA-style crisp lager or pilsner. Wine: WA Sauvignon Blanc or dry Riesling.

Spanish-Style Paprika Shrimp over Cauliflower Mash with Burst Tomatoes

Quick, juicy shrimp and a smoky-sweet paprika sauce over creamy cauliflower mash—comfort food vibes without feeling heavy. This one leans Spanish-inspired and uses peak winter WA cauliflower.

Ingredients

  • Kroger® Small Shrimp Raw Peeled & Deveined Tail Off 12 oz $5.99 (sale)
  • Organic Cauliflower 1 lb $3.49
  • Organic Jumbo Yellow Onions (or white onion) 1/2 medium, diced $2.19/lb
  • Organic garlic (or Simple Truth Organic® Garlic Bulbs) 2 cloves, minced $6.99/lb or $2.79/3 ct
  • Simple Truth Organic® Fresh Grape Snacking Tomatoes 10 oz, halved $3.50 (sale)
  • Smoked paprika 1 1/2 tsp
  • Tomato paste 1 tbsp
  • Chicken or vegetable broth (or water) 1/2 cup
  • Butter or olive oil 2–3 tbsp total
  • Cream or milk (optional) 2–4 tbsp
  • Red pepper flakes (optional) pinch
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
  • Optional: lemon wedge or splash of vinegar to finish

Instructions

  1. Prep: Pat shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Cut cauliflower into small florets. Halve tomatoes; dice onion; mince garlic.
  2. Cook cauliflower mash (stove): Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook 8–10 minutes until very tender. Drain well, then mash (or blend) with 1 tbsp butter/olive oil and a splash of cream/milk if using. Season with salt and pepper. Cover to keep warm.
  3. Build sauce (stove): In a skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tbsp oil. Sauté onion with a pinch of salt 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste and remaining 1 tsp smoked paprika; cook 30 seconds to bloom.
  4. Simmer: Add broth and tomatoes; simmer 4–6 minutes until tomatoes soften and the sauce looks glossy. Add red pepper flakes if using; taste for salt.
  5. Cook shrimp: Turn heat to medium-high. Add shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes, stirring, just until pink and opaque. Turn off heat and swirl in 1 tbsp butter or a drizzle of olive oil. Brighten with a squeeze of lemon or tiny splash of vinegar if you want more pop.
  6. Serve: Spoon cauliflower mash onto plates and top with paprika shrimp and sauce.

Health notes: ~600–750 calories per serving. High protein; cauliflower mash boosts veggies and lowers refined carbs vs. potatoes. Watch added cream/butter if aiming lighter.

Drink pairing: Wine: Washington State Garnacha/“Grenache” rosé or an unoaked Chardonnay. Beer: amber ale.

Shopping list
  • Fresh Atlantic whole salmon fillet (farm raised), cut into 2 portions 12 oz
  • Kroger® Brussels Sprouts Halves 12 oz
  • Simple Truth Organic® Russet Potatoes 3/4 lb (about 2 medium)
  • Organic garlic (or Simple Truth Organic® Garlic Bulbs) 2 cloves, 2 cloves, minced
  • Lemon 1
  • Capers 2 tbsp
  • Butter 2 tbsp
  • Olive oil 2–3 tbsp
  • Dijon mustard 1 tsp
  • Salt & black pepper to taste, to taste, to taste
  • Optional: parsley 1–2 tbsp chopped
  • Fresh Rockfish fillet (Pacific caught) 12 oz
  • Organic Green Cabbage 1/2 lb (about 3–4 cups shredded)
  • Organic cucumber 1
  • Organic Jumbo Red Onions (or yellow onion) 1/4 onion, thinly sliced
  • Organic romaine lettuce (optional, for extra crunch) a handful, shredded
  • Corn or flour tortillas 6 small
  • Lime 1
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt 1/3 cup
  • Mayonnaise (optional, for richer sauce) 1 tbsp
  • Chili powder 1 tsp
  • Ground cumin 1/2 tsp
  • Garlic powder 1/2 tsp
  • Neutral oil (canola/avocado) 1–2 tbsp
  • Kroger® Small Shrimp Raw Peeled & Deveined Tail Off 12 oz
  • Organic Cauliflower 1 lb
  • Organic Jumbo Yellow Onions (or white onion) 1/2 medium, diced
  • Simple Truth Organic® Fresh Grape Snacking Tomatoes 10 oz, halved
  • Smoked paprika 1 1/2 tsp
  • Tomato paste 1 tbsp
  • Chicken or vegetable broth (or water) 1/2 cup
  • Butter or olive oil 2–3 tbsp total
  • Cream or milk (optional) 2–4 tbsp
  • Red pepper flakes (optional) pinch
  • Optional: lemon wedge or splash of vinegar to finish

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Planned by Careme.