Pan-Fried Salmon Fillet + Garlic String Beans

Out of all the fishies in the world, I think salmon is the most flavorful and best to eat cooked.

(I'm a sashimi girl at heart)

You may get your salmon packaged or frozen, but this one was FRESH! Look at that fish!

Cut into (at least try) fillets weighing close to 6 oz or smaller.

I was so tempted to eat it right then and there. Alas, sashimi will be for a different day.

Now, season heartily with black pepper and garlic powder, and very lightly with salt.

This next step is difficult -- read closely. Have your clean pan on just a notch past MED heat and place the fillet meat side down. That's it. I know I know, you tried your best.

You can easily see the line of cooked fish growing against raw fish. Salmon is chock full of those much-needed omega-3 fatty acids, and produces its own oil right away.

Check underneath from time to time -- this fillet is nearly done.

To quicken the duration of cooking, cover the fillet with a pot lid. Look for a nice tan-white color, but it's really up to you how done you want your fish! This is a fillet ready-to-go from the side view.

Great, salmon's done. Now on to our vegetable. String beans looks really nice on the same plate with a fish fillet with an eye-catching color and texture contrast!

To prepare, bend and snap off both ends of each long individual pod.

Break each in half or bite-sized pieces and then soak them for a moment.

Slice up some garlic and blissfully saute them in a decent amount of oil. Dump in the string beans, stir around for a second, then add a bit of water and cover with that pot lid.

While you are preparing and cooking all these healthy meals, you will be tested. Don't be tempted by that tinkling, slowly-moving ice cream truck innocently playing the death song of your already-shrinking belly. Although we kind of cried as we stared out the window like abandoned pups and licked longingly at the glass. Ahem.

Back to our string beans. Add a dash of salt and keep stirring. Press down on a couple pods to see if they are soft enough for your liking. Then they're done. Look at all that glistening garlicky goodness.

A not-so-oily vegetable alternative easily paired with a fish fillet is the green pea. Cook 'em in the microwave and spritz a little "not-butter" spray if needed.

Now admire your salmon-y handiwork! Doesn't it look delicious? Just wait for that first bite.

All finished.

Enjoy~!