Peppercorn Lime Salmon, Manchego-Sun Dried Tomato Scones, and Garlicky Green Beans

Ready for a hearty yet healthy meal? These dishes emphasize the savory. The salmon was spiced with lime and peppercorn, creating a citrus blend with a slight kick to it. The scones were delicious and fluffy yet very flavorful from the sun dried tomatoes, herbs, and cheese. And to round it all out the garlicky green beans were a simple yet fitting addition to the meal.

This meal also cooks up surprisingly quickly. The scones were the longest part of the meal to cook, and so they are listed first in the directions below, but even they were surprisingly fast and easy to prepare. There is no rising time needed! And the salmon and green beans are actually deceptively simple considering they taste as if far more work has gone into them. But don't we love that? Making something quickly and having our guests feel as if we slaved over a stove all day? So let's get to it!

Manchego-Herb-Sun Dried Tomato Scones
Ready for some fantastic scones? You do not have to look any farther than here. You'll mix together the ingredients, form them into a round cylindrical shape and cut some wedges. I used a bit more sun dried tomato than called for since I am such a big fan. Make sure you buy it NOT in oil to save on unnecessary calories. If they are dehydrated, however, you'll want to soak them in warm water for a few minutes before using.

These scones were not only a great addition to dinner, but an excellent breakfast on the go as I was heading to work for the next several days. I also ended up making one into a mini pizza. I cut it in half, added tomato sauce and cheese, and toasted it. The result was delicious! It was a flavorful crust and surprisingly filling. So get creative with your leftovers and do not be afraid to experiment!

Broiled Salmon with Peppercorn Lime Rub
Ready for an even simpler recipe than the one above? Well you came to the right place! But do not be fooled - it doesn't taste simple.

Of course, I had to add more pepper. How is 1/4 of a teaspoon ever enough? I sprinkled it on fairly liberally and then added some ground green pepper as well for good measure. Green pepper is a bit more mild so if you find black pepper spicy it might be a good route to go.

Make sure to always use a broiling pan when there is liquid involved or it will drip off and burn. In this case, however, you can easily substitute a baking sheet or glass dish in place of a broiling pan. Because broiling is so hot, however, there is always the chance your baking sheet will slightly "pop" out of shape until it's once again removed from the oven. Do not be scared if this happens! It should go back to normal, but just in case, perhaps don't use that cookie sheet you really really love...

Garlicky Green Beans
To round out the meal I mixed up some simple garlic green beans. This is a very simple, fast recipe that provides surprisingly tasty results. But, in the end, it's still largely green beans so make sure that you are a fan before diving in!

Ingredients:
2 c. green beans, ends removed
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. lemon juice
pine nuts (optional)

Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic. Saute for 2 minutes and then add the green beans. Stir. Add the lemon juice. Stir. You will need to let the green beans saute for 10-12 minutes or until soft. Stir frequently to keep them from burning. If you choose to add the pine nuts toss those in after the green beans have been in the pan for about 5 minutes.