Raise your hand if you've ever had popcorn and ice cream for dinner because the thought of figuring out what to eat, going to the store, and coming back to cook it was enough to make you need a nap. Real talk. That's basically mealtime with a new baby in a nutshell. (Also: when can I get that nap?). What if I told you someone would do the recipe planning and shopping part for you and you'd spend only 30 minutes in the kitchen before chowing down on these salmon tacos?
You'd probably get that nap. That's what.
Today I'm stoked to share about my collaboration with Sun Basket - what kept us nourished for the month after Zoella was born and brought these salmon tacos into my life. But first: let me paint the scene in our house.
The cats have been acting up since the baby came along. I mean, I get it - you used to be our furry children with all of our attention (and your own Christmas stockings) and now you're lucky if you snag a snuggle between late night feedings. I keep reassuring them, "trust me, you're going to looooove this little cuddle monster soon."
Only they can't hear me because I've accidentally locked them in the baby room. Again. The rascals keep sneaking into the the nursery where they aren't allowed, so with a baby in one arm, I close the door with, "well fine, if you want to be in there so bad, you can stay in there and see how much you like it!" Fully planning to release them in ten minutes when they're scratching at the door. Kitty time out.
Except I completely forget for many many hours. And they aren't complaining to remind me. Poor forgotten first children. (Fortunately I think they actually appreciate the peace and quiet because I found Aioli perfectly content and curled up on the baby's rocking chair after a several hour time out last week).
They tell you it's hard work having a baby, but there's a part of you that doesn't really believe them or that doesn't understand what that means exactly. I'm over here like "why didn't anyone tell me?! I'm not prepared!" but they did tell me and I forgot. Like the cats.
So when Sun Basket reached out to partner last month, flashing their delicious salmon tacos in my face, I basically shouted "SIGN ME UP!" - very poorly masking my desperation for home-cooked food.
Sun Basket is a meal kit service that takes care of coming up with unique and easy-to-make recipes (with paleo, gluten-free, and vegetarian options), and sources sustainable organic ingredients from the best West Coast farms that they then deliver to you each week. You're only in charge of picking from the options and cooking what's delivered. Modern-day delivery.
You guys: If you're ever needing a unique baby shower gift idea, this is it. As new parents, our month of Sun Basket meal kits saved us from eating take-out (again). Having a nourishing home-cooked meal after holding a screaming baby all day is EVERYTHING. Heck, it would make unique gift idea for any occasion or a solution for when life's just super busy (when is it not?). These aren't just plain boring recipes either - they're developed by a top SF Chef so each dish is super creative and well-balanced.
Starting with these salmon tacos with green onion & asparagus salsa (yeah - we're finally going to talk about these tacos). Layered inside the tortilla: quick-pickled chopped cabbage, flakey seared salmon, charred asparagus and scallion salsa, lime greek yogurt "crema", and toasted pepitas for some crunch. These tacos scream springtime.
For the recipe below (shared with permission from Sun Basket), I slightly modified the original for my own tastes - namely making the cilantro optional and adding a bit of salt to the pepitas. Lucas gladly picked all the cilantro off my tacos and added it to his. The beauty of cooking it yourself is that you can do whatever you want!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 small head Napa cabbage, core discarded and leaves thinly sliced (about 6 ounces)
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons pepitas
- 3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 3 green onions, root ends discarded
- 3 ounces asparagus spears, bottoms trimmed
- Two 6-ounce wild Alaskan salmon fillets
- 1 lime
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 6 corn tortillas
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional: 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a medium mixing bowl, toss the cabbage with rice vinegar, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt and pepper until well combined. Let stand while you make the tacos.
- In a medium or large pan over medium heat, warm one teaspoon olive oil oil until hot but not smoking. Add the pepitas and toast, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully transfer the pepitas to a paper-towel lined plate to drain and toss with a pinch of salt.
- In the same pan used to toast the seeds, add the green onions, asparagus and cook over medium heat, turning once, until tender and lightly charred, 4 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate and allow to cool for a few minutes.
- Cut asparagus and green onions crosswise into ¼ -inch pieces, then toss with 1 teaspoon olive oil, and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Season the salmon with salt and pepper.
- In the same pan used to cook the vegetables, warm 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the salmon; and cook until opaque, 2 to 5 minutes on each side, depending on thickness. Transfer to a plate, let cool slightly and break into bite-size pieces.
- Cut the lime in half; juice one half and cut the other half into wedges.
- In a small bowl, combine the yogurt with the lime juice and season with salt, to taste.
- Lightly char the tortillas directly over a medium-low flame, flipping once or warm each tortilla in a dry pan until just pliable, about one minute on each side.
- Transfer the tortillas to individual plates, fill with the pickled cabbage, salmon pieces, onion and asparagus mixture. Top with the lime-yogurt sauce and pepitas, and serve with lime wedges on the side.
Disclosure: Special thanks to Sun Basket for sponsoring this post! And thanks to you for supporting the brands that keep Snixy Kitchen cooking!
Andy -
Tried to make these last night. They didn't look as good as the ones in Gerry's photos but were super delicious. Thanks Sun Basket!
Sarah Menanix -
Aww - glad you liked them! Flavor is what matters most! <3
Sarah @ Snixy Kitchen -
Oh my goodness!! You changed your blog name!! I love it and the new site and the new logo. How exciting - I can't wait to hear all about it:) Congrats lady! (I really hope the cats love Zoella torturing then when she's older hehe).
Ellie | from scratch mostly -
Haha omgness, do I relate to your cat story!! Our cat is the sweetest thing yet, he's such a little b-r-a-t in the sense that he's so needy and wah wah about affection that ever since selah was born, he's been that much more wah wah. He howls like there's no tomorrow and locks hiimself when we're gone. 0_0 Luckily Selah keeps him busy by pretty much torturing him with smothering hugs and all that good stuff, hah! And you know I love fish....lately fish tacos are my jam when I don't want to cook or go far away to eat good food.
Alanna -
Sexiest tacos ever. And that's not a euphemism.
Madeline -
I'm craving grilled steak and salmon!!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan -
Asparagus salsa!! Dude. Killin me. These tacos look amazing. I never think to use salmon in tacos. Why, why? I'm definitely on a popcorn and ice cream diet lately. This needs to happen, stat. Also second Gerry's taco photo's. Man's got talent.
audrey -
I don't eat fish but you've managed to make my mouth water with these salmon tacos. Definitely craving tacos now!! And I'm with you on the cilantro...
I'd like to say meal prep gets easier as kids get older but.... it just gets...busier. Sounds like sun basket and I will be best friends for the forseeable future!
Allison -
I am craving grilled salmon and asparagus with roasted potatoes. :) And these tacos!
Carla -
Oh, these look SO GOOD. Sun Basket! Can I want them even though I have no real distractions beyond work and a car that needs a new engine? I'm craving a delicious burger this week. OR TACOS. OR LASAGNA. I'm flexible.
dianne -
I have been wanting some pasta salad and a turkey burger!
Nicki J. -
Tacos sound so good after seeing those pictures!! Burgers also sound good!
Bethany @ athletic avocado -
These tacos look INCREDIBLE! Im literally drooling up a storm just by staring at the pics!
Jennifer -
Those are some SERIOUSLY gorgeous taco photos!
Meghan -
Well. . .NOW I'm craving salmon tacos! But aside from that, miso-tahini avocado toast!
Susan D. -
That meal looks wonderful. I have been wanting pasta so I am making chicken alfredo this week.
Denise -
Steak fajitas with beans and rice =)
Steph -
I want quiche
tanya murphy -
Those look incredible, and i dont eat meat! My family does though. This recipe looks like i could have cooked once and just had the tacos for myself with veggies and they would have salivated over the original recipe!. I have been in such a slump lately on meals i need a boost and someone else to decide for a few days :) This would fit the bill. I have been craving some dinner/meal salads and bowls lately. Fresh and light! (but again the family wants non vegan fare :)
Kenny -
Steak and mashed potatoes :)
Michelle J. -
Homemade pizza!
Laura m -
Yum! I love tacos! I'm currently craving fish and chips with tarter sauce!
Holly -
I've been craving something spicy, thinking about trying my hand at kimchi jige :)
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen -
These look amazing! There is a similar fresh meal company here in NZ called My Food Bag, which has quickly become insanely successful for busy families - they deliver all the ingredients and recipes at the start of the week, so no meal planning or supermarket shopping required. I know it doesn't compare to having a baby around (a huge congratulations, by the way!) but sometimes getting back from the hospital at 7 o'clock after being out all day makes dinner SUCH an effort - might have to try these tacos out on one of those evenings!
Alice @ Honestly Fitness -
I am so glad you got to try Sunbasket! I tried them for the first time last year and have been using them regularly for a few months now. It really makes a difference not having to plan out what you're going to make, plus I really like how they send all the ingredients to you, perfectly proportioned.
Glad these helped you get some much deserved sleep :) Zoella Mae is the cutest!! Love when you share pics of her.
gerry @ foodness gracious -
This is truly taco nirvana, the epitome of tacos!!!
Brian @ A Thought For Food -
Absolutely gorgeous tacos! I love all fish tacos, but salmon is just my favorite and that asparagus salsa is such a wonderful, seasonal twist!
Nicole -
Yep, these tacos. Just the pickled cabbage by itself sounds awesome! I'm gonna make some for my spring rolls (which I made with sushi rice last week because I didn't remember that we were out of seaweed until after the rice was cooked, oops. Good news--spring rolls are way faster to roll than sushi!). Sign me up for that giveaway! My cousin in CA is expecting. This would be a great gift for her and her foodie husband!
Sarah Menanix -
Oh!! That's a brilliant idea. I'm stealing it.
Shelly @ Vegetarian 'Ventures -
Hi! Real talk - I feel that way about dinner all the time and I don't even have a little kiddie! I feel 100% the same way and really love how this meal service recycles and has veggie options!
Sarah Menanix -
Haha - dinner is HARD sometimes. I love the recycling aspect too! I loved all the vegetarian dishes we had too - that Hodo Soy tofu is DA BOMB.
Lisa / Good on Paper Design -
Sarah! I just made fish tacos for the first time ever last night. So good! This looks even better. So I'm going to say I'm craving these salmon tacos. yum! Not only good for new parents, but this meal kit looks good for working parents of two crazy little boys :) Will email you soon about lunch! Big hugs!
Sarah Menanix -
Ha - that's totally the truth. I'm so in aw of all that you do now that I'm "in the know" with parenthood. AND YES PLEASE! Hug!
Natalie R -
I've been craving all things breakfast - oatmeal, chia seed puddings, omelettes! Can't get enough
Maria C -
Since it's starting to warm up here in the Boston area, I'm craving anything grilled: hamburgers, hotdogs, steaks, yum!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles -
How super gorgeous are these tacos?! What a tasty meal!
Sarah Menanix -
<3 <3 Thank you!
mira -
These tacos look so fresh and delicious! Love the flavor combination and will definitely try them!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks Mira! You will love them!
Emily -
Well,duh, now I'm craving deez tacos! But also HODO soy mapo tofu!
Sarah Menanix -
FOR REAL.
Carolsue -
I am craving spaghetti and meatballs
Kristen D -
Poke- i just can't get enough!
cori -
Craving some burgers!
grace -
frittata, random as it is. :)
Megan {Country Cleaver} -
I've got everything I need to make these!! They look splendid!
Sarah Menanix -
DOOO ITTTT!!!
sue -
I've been craving chocolate cake. Going to make it tomorrow!
Caitlin -
I've been craving a fresh Strawberry spinach salad
Liz @ Floating Kitchen -
Girl! These tacos look amazing. Never thought of asparagus salsa before - that's pretty brilliant. And oh gosh, I can just imagine how much of a life saver a meal delivery service would be for a new mamma. Totally a great baby shower gift idea! This week I'm craving grill-ables! We've FINALLY got some sunshine here and I'm itching for summer foods!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks! I love the flavor combo with the asparagus, salmon, and pickled cabbage - definitely keeping this one in the recipe rotation! I hope you enjoy the sunshine!