Pan-Roasted Salmon with Plum, Sage, and Lemon Compote

Well, it's that time of year, summer's in full swing. Stone fruits are a plenty,a plethora of herbs are out, and you can combine them into all sorts of fantastically tasty combinations. It can be a little bit random if you really want, I just saw some plums and lemons at the store, and snapped them up, figuring on making something good.

I decided to completely jump on the random feeling and make something super tasty, very simple, but extremely delicious, as well as a smidge healthy. Now, I'll admit, I'm not the biggest salmon fan. Not even like the mid-way salmon, kinda likes it sometimes guy. However,when it's good quality, done just right, and the flavors are matched delightfully with the texture and nuances of salmon, then I can be bribed into eating some. That usually involves some fat, some sweetness, and a bit of acid for it to be Jake-worthy as far as salmon goes.

Pan-roasting is a simple, yet effective way to get a good sear on something, yet not over cook it, or burn it on the stove. You can pretty much do this with almost any protein, but when you really don't want to overcook something, or make sure that it hits perfect temperature. Ovens are much easier to monitor than regulating direct heat under a pan.

Seasoned and ready to sear.

Chocolate Stout Beer Float w/ Rum Glazed Cherries

Beer.

I love it. Seriously, if it was a person, it would embody all cultures, styles, taste, and personalities. Beer is the most interesting man in the world. That's why beer can transform itself into a dessert. Now, it can't be any old beer, it's gotta be one with character. It has to have hair on it's chest, a utility knife, and some survival skills.

That is why chocolate stout is in order. Specifically, I used Young's Double Chocolate Stout. The texture, flavor, and color of the beer is just outstanding for this recipe. If you don't have it available, that is all good. Just make sure you are using a chocolate, or really smooth and mellow stout. I mean, really, this stuff should be Billy Dee smooth, no bite at all. What you want is a mindblowing combination of all flavor senses. Lemme
'splain.

We have the beer, which is a smooth bitter flavor. Then we have the rum glazed cherries, which give us tart and sweet. Also, we throw in some more of that sweet smoothness with melted milk chocolate with smooth clarified butta. Finally, we take it to the next supreme level of awesomeness with roasted peanuts and smoked salt.

That's right folks. This is not your kid's float. Pure fantastical flavor;