In my 20’s, I used to travel to Vancouver, BC a lot with my friends just to hang out. One time when we were up there, we stopped into a sports bar which was owned and operated by two former Vancouver Canucks, Geoff and Russ Courtnall. On the menu they had an amazing smoked salmon quesadilla, which was the first time I had been introduced to this dish.
Well, that sports bar is long gone now, but whenever I’m feeling a little nostalgic, I like to make my own version. And while I was attracted to it because it tastes amazing, I know now that it’s served up with a little side of astrology.
Salmon are truly amazing fish, they resonate with the sign of Pisces, which is ruled by the planet Jupiter. Born in the gravel of streams, they spend their early days in the tributaries of lakes before beginning their treks on to the ocean where they will spend most of their lives. This makes them unique as a species that can survive in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
But the magic of salmon doesn’t end there. Late in their lives the salmon are called home to their native birthplaces where they will spawn and then die. Now how the salmon know that it is their time is something of a mystery, but what is known is that their journey home is amazing. The salmon must swim upstream through all sorts of obstacles, including rapids, locks and other barriers. They do this by mastering the air. They literally jump out of the water and fling themselves into the air to make the leap. This often leaves them beat up and bruised, but still, they hurry home. Once there, they pair up with a partner, lay or fertilize eggs and die. They’re bodies are then transformed into food for the growing fry which hatch from the eggs.
These facts have led salmon to gain a mystical reputation as a fish that represents wisdom, perseverance, transformation, and rebirth. Sacred to the Celts, Druids and Native Peoples of the Pacific Northwest, salmon are high in Omega-3 fatty acid and according to WebMD good for promoting heart health, maintaining skin and bones and supporting bone health.
Smoked Salmon Quesadilla
Ingredients
- 4 small flour street tacos tortillas
- 1/4 cup smoked salmon
- 2 slices provolone
- 1/4 cup queso fresco
- 2 green onions chopped
- 1/8 tsp garlic salt
- 1/4 avocado diced
Optional, for serving
- sour cream or greek yogurt
- salsa verde
Instructions
- Place two street taco tortillas in a pan over medium heat.
- Top each with a slice of provolone and some crumbled queso fresco evenly distributed over the tortilla.
- Crumble up smoked salmon over the top, evenly distributing it over the cheese.
- Sprinkle with a green onion and garlic salt over the top.
- Top each with an additional tortilla.
- Cook for approximately 3-4 minutes or until cheese just begins to melt. Be careful that you don't burn the tortillas.
- Flip the quesadillas over and cook another 2 -3 minutes on other side.
- Transfer to a plate and cut into four even pieces
- Serve with diced avocado, optional sour cream and salsa
