soul food salmon

Why are foods good for your soul not better for your body? What does that say about our soul and body? That they direct towards unparallel ends? Yup, a teleological paradox: our soul and our body must ultimately be headed in different directions. Just consider the satisfaction fried chicken evokes in your soul and simultaneously the arteries in your body its actual components could eventually damage. It is the root of an age-old quality of life conundrum often faced in medicine, but really faced daily in the decisions we make that either improve the health of our bodies OR the health of our souls… or conversely harm them. I am torn at this juncture, as a future physician but a current fan of food.

Perhaps we ought to focus instead on food that not only nourishes the body, but nourishes the soul as well—that food that not only makes you sigh with gratitude for the sense of taste so graciously endowed you but which also allows you to thank yourself for putting something so nutritious in your mouth.

I think salmon is the ticket. Or at least a good place to start. Good for your heart (omega 3s decrease triglycerides in your blood and are anti-inflammatory) and your soul (especially if shared at a dinner table with someone you love).

Southwest Chipotle Rub

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

2 ½ tablespoons finely ground coffee grounds

2 tablespoons salt

1 ½ tablespoons granulated dry garlic

1 tablespoon paprika

1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano leaves

1/3 cup Tabasco brand chipotle pepper sauce

Combine the dry ingredients first then stir in the Tabasco until well mixed. Rub on salmon and refrigerate for 20 minutes before grilling. Keep left-over rub refrigerated (use on chicken, roasts, ribs, etc). 

Adapted from http://joylicious.net/2011/09/14/texas-style-chipotle-rubbed-salmon/