A Sutherland Belle
“Nobody can be exactly like me. Sometimes even I have trouble doing it.”

Crispy Rice Asian Salmon Salad

Crispy Rice Asian Salmon Salad

And just like that, another year bites the dust. As I approached the end of 2024, I found myself at a crossroads, ready to say goodbye to a year that was both heartbreaking and beautiful, and I couldn’t help but wonder why most of us feel like we hold our breaths at the end of every year only to exhale a collective sigh of relief when the clock strikes midnight. I felt that familiar pang of disappointment—an experience that reminded me that not every year has to be extraordinary to be meaningful.

Every time I tell myself, “This is going to be my year,” I understandably feel let down when it concludes the same way it began. This reflection has made me realize that not every year has to be better than the one before, but that doesn’t mean it has been bad. Perhaps this year is the quiet chapter that leads to a more exciting one—the part you skim through before reaching the section that makes you want to highlight every word. This year has taught me an invaluable lesson: every chapter of my life doesn’t need to be exciting to be a bestseller.

As I’ve aged, I've learned to embrace this journey, recognizing that I won’t always have control over how my story unfolds. It's refreshing to understand that I don’t need to determine which individuals are meant to walk alongside me for the long haul and which ones will choose to walk away. Life's script can diverge from the one I planned, and that's not just okay—it's the one beautiful constant of any journey worth having.

Time speeds up as we age. As children, time is linear, but as adults, it becomes a fast-swirling vortex of moments. We get so caught up in surviving these moments that we forget to live in them. Sometimes, the quieter sections of our stories—the uneventful parts—serve as the catalyst for something thrilling to happen next. Each chapter is woven with unexpected characters and plot twists, but the mundane moments provide foundational passages in any narrative.

As I close this chapter, I remind myself that the past year is merely one segment of a more significant, richer manuscript. It’s just a collection of pages full of experiences and lessons that serve not only to transition into the next phase and hint at the adventures awaiting me. 2024 won't define who I am or dictate the tone of future endeavors. It’s one chapter in my life story. I won’t dwell on disappointments or label this year as one to forget. I’m ready to embrace everything that happened and learn to let go of what didn’t.

Goodbyes are hard, but every new beginning comes from another beginning's end. Each new year offers an opportunity for a fresh start and new dreams. This is crucial for the chapters ahead, the forthcoming years, and the moments that will take my breath away. Life is not a short story but a novel. God guides my narrative, and his plan is always right. If we choose to listen to him through the good years and the bad, we will end up with a story worth reading.

Crispy Rice Asian Salmon Salad

INGREDIENTS

For the Salad

  • 2 cups cooked and cooled rice (Jasmine or brown rice)
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons Momofuku Chili Crisp 
  • 16 ounces fresh salmon (I used two 8-ounce filets)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
  • 3 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 5 seedless, mini cucumbers, cut in half and sliced
  • 12 ounces shelled Edamame
  • 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced 
  • 3/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 2 avocados, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Furikake Rice Seasoning (optional)

For the Dressing

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup toasted sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free)
  • 3 Tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons sugar or honey
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fresh ginger
  • ½ teaspoons ground ginger

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 F.
  2. In a small bowl, toss the cooled rice with the soy sauce, chili crisp, and sesame oil. Transfer to a large parchment-lined baking sheet and spread into a thin layer. Bake the rice for 30-40 minutes or until it's nice and crispy. Toss it halfway through to ensure that it cooks evenly.
  3. While the rice is in the oven, prepare the salmon. Season the filets with olive oil, kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper. Transfer to a smaller parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the tray into the oven with the crispy rice, and allow the salmon to bake for 13-14 minutes or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. Once the salmon is done, remove it from the oven. Use a fork to shred it into pieces, then set it aside.
  4. Remove the crispy rice from the oven and set it aside.
  5. Add all the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combined. Alternatively, you could add to a blender for a creamier dressing.
  6. Add the green cabbage, cucumbers, edamame, green onions, avocado, salmon, and crispy rice to a large bowl. Once it's done, serve and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Pour the dressing on top of the salad, and toss to fully combine. Serve immediately.

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