Salmon parcels

One of the easiest ways to cook fish is in a foil parcel.

1. Tear a piece of foil about 30cm long. (Longer is better than shorter.)
2. Put a little olive oil in the middle of the foil and wipe it around with your finger.
3. Put a boneless salmon fillet or white fish fillet in the middle of the foil.
4. Top with some sliced or shredded mushrooms. In this case, maitake.
5. Top with very thinly sliced white onion.
6. Wrap up the foil parcel, and close the ends.
7. Bake in a toaster oven, regular oven or under the fish grill for about 8 minutes.
8. Leave to rest for 2 minutes.
9. Be careful of the steam when you open it.

NOTES:
1. If you don't want to use foil, you can use a Pyrex dish with a lid.
2. The olive oil will stop the fish from sticking. Wiping the oil around with your finger is OK! If you use a brush, you'll have to wash it. Mother Nature gave you fingers, so use them ;)
7. This recipe is good because you can use the toaster oven or grill while you are cooking vegetables on the top of your cooker. You can put the packages in there and forget about them.

This dish is not good cold. But you can cook plain salmon in this way and add it to your lunch box, flake it for rice balls, etc.

You can also prepare the parcels in the morning and then cook them at night.

Small chicken fillets (sasami chicken) is okay cooked like this.

Spaghetti Squash

I bought spaghetti squash for the first time this year and it really is a versatile vegetable.

First, prepare it by cutting it in half and scooping out the seeds with a spoon. Rinse with water and put it cut side down on a dinner plate. Cover with kitchen paper and microwave for about 6 to 8 minutes until the point of a sharp knife goes in easily.

A great way to serve it is like a dry curry:

1. In a large based fry pan, put 100% beef mince and cook until browned. No oil is necessary.

2. Add 1 chopped onion. Cook until onion is still a bit crunchy. 

3. Add just a few raisins or sultanas, then add in the cooked spaghetti squash. 

4. After it is mixed well, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of aromatic, dry curry powder. It is better if the curry is aromatic as opposed to hot. 

5. Stir again to evenly coat everything with the curry. 

Serve with salad greens on the side. It is very nice the next day, and not at all wet so goes well in a lunch box.

Of course, you can also serve the plain squash just like pasta, with a tomato or meat/tomato sauce.