Description
Delectable salmon and quinoa harmony brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Fresh ingredients combine with simple techniques for a nutritious meal that delights palates and nourishes bodies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (6 oz / 170 g) salmon fillets
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup (236 ml) quinoa
- 2 cups (474 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh spinach or kale, chopped
- ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Quinoa Preparation: Rinse quinoa meticulously under cold water, eliminating any residual debris. Combine with broth in a saucepan, simmering until liquid fully absorbs and grains become fluffy. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Salmon Seasoning: Preheat oven to 400F (200C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange salmon fillets, brushing with olive oil and generously coating with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Crown each fillet with a fresh lemon slice.
- Salmon Roasting: Bake salmon for 12-15 minutes until it easily flakes when gently prodded, ensuring a perfectly cooked, moist texture.
- Vegetable Sautéing: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté bell peppers until slightly caramelized, then introduce spinach or kale, allowing them to wilt. Add cherry tomatoes, warming them to release their inherent sweetness.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, chopped parsley, and seasonings until a smooth, vibrant emulsion forms.
- Plating: Layer quinoa as a base, artfully arrange sautéed vegetables and roasted salmon. Drizzle with the prepared dressing, garnishing with fresh parsley or additional lemon as desired.
Notes
- Master Quinoa Rinsing: Thoroughly rinse quinoa under cold water to remove bitter saponin coating, ensuring a cleaner, more delicate flavor profile.
- Salmon Doneness Check: Use a fork to gently test salmon – if it flakes easily with minimal pressure, it’s perfectly cooked; avoid overcooking to maintain moistness and prevent dryness.
- Vegetable Texture Technique: Sauté vegetables briefly to maintain crisp texture and preserve nutritional value, preventing them from becoming soggy or losing vibrant colors.
- Dressing Balance Strategy: Whisk dressing ingredients until fully emulsified, adjusting seasoning to taste; start with small amounts of lemon and honey, tasting and incrementally adding for perfect flavor harmony.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg