Making a Simple Meal Look Elegant

In just 30 minutes (10 minutes hands-on), you can make a really elegant meal that looks like you slaved for hours in the kitchen.

First, pick a really cool rice to cook: Forbidden Rice. This black rice (actually a deep purple, which surprised me) was reportedly only eaten by the Emperors of China. It takes 25 minutes to cook. While it's doing it's thing...

Cook salmon using whatever method you prefer. If we aren't grilling, I like to bake mine just until tender-done, about 15 minutes total. Before cooking, lightly brush with kecap manis (an Indonesian sweet soy sauce) and sprinkle with fresh cracked pepper. While the salmon is cooking...

Heat 1/2 cup coconut milk on the stovetop. Stir in 1 tablespoon kecap manis, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice. Stir until warmed through. Finally...

Slice and dice a fresh mango.

To serve, simply top rice with a salmon fillet and garnish with mango. Drizzle coconut sauce over everything and serve.