SALMON SALAD WITH FENNEL, ORANGE AND MINT - FAYETTEVILLE PILATES AND BARRE - RECIPEDOODLE WEDNESDAY

Bright and lively - this yummy Salmon Salad is also quick and effortless to put together.

SALMON SALAD WITH FENNEL, ORANGE AND MINT

2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
2 whole star anise
4 cups cold water
4 pieces of salmon
2 oranges
4 cups very thinly sliced fennel (about 2 medium bulbs)
1 cup fresh mint leaves, sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil

Place sugar, water, vinegar, star anise and cold water in a large deep skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add salmon pieces, cover skillet and remove from heat. Let stand for 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, turn salmon over, cover and let stand until salmon is just opaque in the center, about 5 to 6 minutes longer.
Remove salmon from the liquid and cool. Coarsely flake the salmon, set aside.
Cut top and bottom 1/4 inch off each orange. Stand 1 orange on 1 flat end. Using a small sharp knife cut off peel and white pith. Working over a large bowl, cut between the membranes, releasing the segments into a bowl. Repeat with the remaining orange. Add salmon, fennel, mint and olive oil. Gently toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Enjoy!

NOTE: you could add salad greens to this too!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, January 2010
www.bonappetit.com/.../salmon-salad-with-fennel-orange-an...‎

OREGANO OLIVE CHICKEN and CAPER ROSEMARY SALMON

Even though they are both pickled and Mediterranean, olives and capers are not part of the same family.
Fruit and flower bud are featured in these flavorful recipes, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

OLIVE OREGANO CHICKEN

4 chicken breasts
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup chopped pimiento-stuffed olives
1/4 cup capers, drained
2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped

Sprinkle chicken with pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, brown chicken on all sides in oil. Remove and keep warm. Drain drippings from skillet.
Combine remaining ingredients, pour into skillet, stirring to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil. Carefully return chicken to pan. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Readers Digest
www.rd.com/food/

CAPER ROSEMARY SALMON

6 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons drained capers
4 teaspoons liquid from capers in jar
4 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons finely minced fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon sea salt
large pinch of dried crushed red pepper
pinch of sugar
1 small onion, diced
6 salmon fillets

Whisk first nine ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in onion. Transfer mixture to resealable plastic bag. Add salmon and seal bag, let marinate for one hour, turning occasionally.
Prepare grill, remove salmon from bag. Grill until just cooked to the center, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Pour marinade into small saucepan, bring just to simmer.
Place one salmon fillet on each plate, spoon warm marinade over. Serve with a green salad.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, August 2008
www.bonappetit.com

SMOKED SALMON SPREAD and SALMON ON PUMPERNICKEL POINTS

The last day the kids were in school this year, went by exceptionally quickly, and ended with me running late!! The kids had taken the gifts for their teachers that morning, so it was just a matter of me parking in front of the school and delivering the gifts for the ladies in the office, a few steps into the building. However, I became a bit flustered when a bus driver I had parked in front of started yelling at me, and followed me inside telling me I had to move, a gift bag broke, emptying its sticky contents  onto the steps and covering my fingers, keys and steering wheel in lavender honey.
My carefully planned afternoon was thrown off schedule, as after picking up the kids, I circled back around to the earlier scene of my shame, now emptied of all busses and other vehicles, and went to clean up my mess and check the gifts had arrived safely. I had promised the kids I would take them to Toys-R-Us for an end-of-year-treat, and then drove as fast as I was legally able, to a friends gathering for my own end-of-year-treat.
I made this smoked salmon spread to share and have included another of my favorite smoked salmon recipes - perfect for relaxing and celebrating with!

SMOKED SALMON SPREAD

8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons cream
1/2 pound of smoked salmon, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
crostini

Mix cream cheese and cream until smooth. Stir in salmon, lemon zest, pepper and sour cream. Chill.
Serve with crostini.
Enjoy!

SALMON ON PUMPERNICKEL POINTS

pumpernickel points
thin cut smoked salmon
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 tablespoons agave nectar
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
one bunch of dill (can substitute dry dill)

Combine Dijon, dry mustard, agave nectar, vinegar, olive oil and chopped dill in a food processor to make mustard sauce.
Place a piece of smoked salmon on a pumpernickel point, spread with cream cheese. Top with mustard sauce and garnish with a sprinkle of dill.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Dwell Magazine, September 2012
www.dwell.com/articles/recipes‎

BEET AND FETA SALAD and ROAST SALMON WITH MUSTARD-TARRAGON SAUCE and CARAMELIZED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH LEMON and CRANBERRY SURPRISE PIE

One of the things I loved the most about our snow days, was cooking. Especially for impromptu dinner guests. It was absolutely wonderful the couple of times we had friends stay for dinner - the spontaneity takes the pressure off of everything having to be perfect and it is a fun challenge to make a meal out what happens to be in the pantry and refrigerator.
I set out a cheese board with olives, goat cheese I had rolled in Herbs de Provence, that a friend thoughtfully brought back from France for me, my favorite sharp cheddar cheese, and some delicious, fun cranberry pumpkin seed crisps. I opened a bottle of wine, made a salad with beets I had roasted the night before, set the table, prepared the salmon and served the cranberry pie I had baked on a whim, for dessert.

BEET AND FETA SALAD

4 to 6 beets, tops and ends removed, cut in half
2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon grated zest
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons chopped shallots
3 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
salad greens
1/4 to 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Heat oven to 400F. Place beets in a shallow baking pan. Cover with foil. Roast 40 to 45 minutes or until tender. Uncover. Let cool 15 minutes. Remove skins and slice beets.
For dressing, combine olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, yogurt, shallots, and mint. Whisk to mix.
Divide salad greens among plates, arrange the beets and feta on top and drizzle with dressing.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens, September 2013
www.bhg.com/recipes/‎

ROAST SALMON WITH MUSTARD-TARRAGON SAUCE

2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup spicy brown mustard
5 to 6 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
salmon

Heat oven to 450F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix the mayonnaise, mustard, tarragon, brown sugar, lemon zest and juice together, in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Place salmon, skin side down on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon mustard sauce on top of salmon, then spread to cover each piece completely. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast just until salmon is opaque in center, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Serve with remaining mustard sauce.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, December 2008
www.bonappetit.com/recipes‎

CARAMELIZED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH LEMON

1/4 cup olive oil
4 cups brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved lengthwise
2 tablespoons water
juice of half a lemon

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil, in a skillet over medium heat.
Arrange brussels sprouts in a single layer, drizzle with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Remove lid and sprinkle sprouts with water. Cover and cook 2 minutes more. Sprouts should be just tender when pierced with a fork, and beginning to caramelize. Remove cover and increase the heat slightly. When sprouts are well-caramelized, drizzle with lemon juice, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens, December 2011
www.bhg.com/recipes/‎

CRANBERRY SURPRISE PIE

2 cups fresh cranberries
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
2 tablespoons plus 3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter melted
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat oven to 325F. Butter a 9 1/2 inch pie plate.
Pour the cranberries into the bottom of the pie plate and sprinkle evenly with the walnuts and 2 tablespoons of the sugar.
Mix the eggs with the melted butter, 3/4 cup sugar, the vanilla and the flour. Pour over the cranberry mixture.
Bake for 50 minutes at 325F.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted From One Good Deed, 2012
Erin McHugh

SEARED SALMON WITH NEW POTATOES AND DIJON BROTH

My husband is in the process of building a new store, and I become somewhat of a construction widow during the time it takes to get the store built and finished out and up and running. My husband leaves early in the morning to meet with plumbers, electricians and city inspectors and often doesn't come home until late at night. So on the evenings I know he will be home for dinner, I always like to cook something special. Not only was this salmon dish exceptional, but the potatoes were fresh from a friends garden, which I think made the meal extra special.

SEARED SALMON WITH NEW POTATOES AND DIJON BROTH

1 1/2 pounds of new potatoes, scrubbed and unpeeled
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons oil
4 salmon fillets
2 cups white wine
2 shallots, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons tarragon
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds baby spinach leaves

Heat oven to 400F. Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium high and boil until almost cooked through, about 12 minutes. Drain, cool. Cut potatoes in half.
Melt butter with oil in a large skillet over high heat. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Place salmon in the skillet. Cook until brown, about 4 minutes. Turn salmon over and cook for 2 minutes. Arrange salmon in a large baking dish. Scatter the potatoes around the salmon.
Combine wine, shallots and vinegar in a large saucepan. Boil until reduced to 1 cup, about 7 minutes. Add the chicken broth, tarragon and mustard. Bring just to boil. Pour hot broth over salmon and potatoes in dish. Bake until salmon and potatoes are cooked through, about 20 minutes.
About 5 minutes before salmon is done cooking, heat olive oil in a large pot. Add half of the spinach to the pot, stir until wilted, about 3 minutes, add remaining spinach and toss just until wilted.
Divide spinach among 4 shallow bowls. Top with salmon fillets. Divide potatoes and broth among bowls.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, April 2006
www.bonappetit.com/recipes‎

SALMON RED QUINOA AND ARUGULA SALAD

I find such joy and satisfaction in putting a simple meal on the table for my family and returning to familiar household routines after being away from them. I adore travel - the excitement of packing up and disappearing on an adventure - but I love to be home too.

SALMON RED QUINOA AND ARUGULA SALAD

1 cup white wine
4 salmon fillets
1 onion, sliced
3 sprigs of thyme
1/2 cup red quinoa
1/2 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 to 2 cups of arugula
juice of 1 lemon and 1 lime
1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil
4 tablespoons harissa
1/2 cup cilantro leaves
3 tablespoons toasted slivered almonds

In a large pot, boil wine and 4 cups of water. Add salmon, onion and thyme. Reduce heat to simmer, poach salmon until cooked through, about 7 minutes.
In another large pot, boil 4 cups of water. Add quinoa and cook until tender, about 11 minutes, drain.
In a bowl, mix quinoa, chickpeas, raisins and spices, cool.
Toss quinoa mixture with arugula. Dress salad with lemon juice and oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Divide salad and poached salmon among 4 plates. Top each salmon fillet with 1 tablespoon harissa. Garnish with cilantro and almonds.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Self Magazine, May 2013
www.self.com/search/recipe‎

ROSE SANGRIA WITH PINEAPPLE AND GUAVA and ASPARAGUS WITH POACHED EGG AND CRISPY PROSCIUTTO and POTATO CRUSTED SALMON WITH HERB SALAD and BLUEBERRY BUTTERMILK ORANGE TART

We had been trying to find a time to have dinner with friends, and after many attempts we finally established a time.
Our Son and their Daughter had been best of friends in Pre-School, but had moved to different Elementary schools and then their family spent a year in Austria, so we lost touch a little.
It was wonderful to reconnect with them and with another dear family who had recently moved back to the area from Cincinnati.
On the day we determined, I was picking up my son from camp, a 5 hour round trip, so I made sure to keep the menu quick and uncomplicated. Nevertheless, the simple meal was greatly enriched by seeing friends and the fascinating conversation.

ROSE SANGRIA WITH PINEAPPLE AND GUAVA

1 750 ml bottle of rose wine
8 ounces of light rum
24 ounces of pineapple juice
24 ounces of guava nectar
4 cinnamon sticks
2 cups 3/4 inch cubes of fresh pineapple
2 oranges, halved through stem end, thinly sliced crosswise
ice cubes

Mix wine, rum, pineapple juice and guava nectar together in a large pitcher. Add cinnamon sticks, pineapple and orange slices.
Cover and chill at least 6 hours or overnight. Fill glasses with ice, pour sangria over.
Garnish with orange slices if desired, and serve.
Enjoy!

ASPARAGUS WITH POACHED EGG AND CRISPY PROSCIUTTO

1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil
4 slices of prosciutto, cut into strips
1 1/2 pounds of asparagus, tough ends trimmed
salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 eggs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese strips
2 tablespoons of fresh basil leaves, sliced

Heat oven to 425F.
Heat 1/2 tablespoon of the oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Scatter prosciutto strips in an even layer in the skillet, cook until crisp, about 2 minutes, turning pieces as they crisp. Drain on a paper towel.
On a large baking sheet, toss asparagus with remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and arrange in an even layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Roast 12 minutes, until tender and lightly browned.
While asparagus is roasting, poach the eggs.
Divide asparagus among 4 plates, season with salt and pepper. Place a poached egg on each serving. Top each with crispy prosciutto, shaved parmesan and basil.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Red Book Magazine
se by Ingredient ... - Redbook

POTATO CRUSTED SALMON WITH HERB SALAD

2 to 3 cups of frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed and squeezed dry
2 tablespoons snipped chives
2 tablespoons flour
salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 8-ounce salmon fillets
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
herb salad mix

In a medium bowl, toss the potatoes with the chives and flour and season with salt and pepper. Lay the salmon fillets on a work surface and season with salt and pepper. Evenly pat the shredded potatoes onto the top of each fillet.
In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil until shimmering. Carefully add the salmon fillets to the oil. potato side down, and cook over moderately high heat, undisturbed, until browned, about 8 minutes. Carefully flip the salmon and cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer. Using a fish slice, transfer the salmon to plates.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the lemon juice, mustard and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the herb salad mix and toss to coat. Transfer the salad and salmon to plates and serve.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine
www.foodandwine.com/‎

BLUEBERRY BUTTERMILK ORANGE TART

PASTRY
500g flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
300g butter, melted
FILLING
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup cream
zest of 2 oranges
juice of 1 orange
120g butter, melted
1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 to 2 cups of blueberries

PASTRY
Heat oven to 180C.
Mix flour, sugar and salt together in a bowl. Add melted butter and mix with a wooden spoon. Press into tart pan and bake about 10 minutes or until light golden brown.
FILLING
Whisk the sugar and eggs together. Add remaining ingredients except blueberries and whisk until smooth. Place blueberries in the pre-baked shell and pour filling over. Bake about 40 to 45 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool.
Enjoy!
NOTE: a pan size was not specified, I used a 10 inch one, and had crust and filling left over, which I made into mini tarts.

Recipe adapted from New Zealand House and Garden
www.nzhouseandgarden.co.nz/‎

LIGHT AND ELEGANT SALMON SALAD

Summer vacation is starting to wind down, and I'm left wondering where all the long, lazy days have disappeared to. I seem to have been rushing around just as much as ever.
However, when I have had the opportunity to slow down enough to relax and recharge it has been wonderful, and very much appreciated.
I had a group of girlfriends over for a light lunch, and it was glorious to sit out on the deck, sipping a cool beverage, dining on our elegant salad and just loving the company and the day.

LIGHT AND ELEGANT SALMON SALAD

DRESSING
3/4 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh chives, chopped
1 1/4 teaspoon of lemon zest, grated
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 clove of garlic, minced
SALMON
1 salmon fillet per person
olive oil or cooking spray
salt and pepper to taste
SALAD
4 cups salad greens
3/4 cup basil leaves
1 ripe mango, cubed and peeled

Place dressing ingredients in a blender and process until almost smooth. Set aside.
Drizzle olive oil into a large pan, set over medium heat. Sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper, and pan fry, 5 minutes on each side or until salmon flakes easily when tested with a fork.
Place the greens and basil on individual plates. Drizzle with the dressing to taste, and divide salmon among the plates. Top with extra dressing if desired and the cubed mango.
Enjoy!

ROSEMARY RHUBARB DAIQUIRI and SALMON GOAT CHEESE AND LEEK TART and COFFEE CARAMEL CREME BRULEE

This menu was a dinner party disaster y'all!!
Individually, each dish was all right, but when put together they just didn't work. No one was game to try my daiquiri, opting for the more familiar glass of champagne, and the creme brulee ended up with an unappetizing grainy texture. My husband had purchased the main dish that morning from the local farmers market - lamb sausages and broccolini - both of which I love for a casual dinner, but not a dinner party.
Thankfully the outstanding company and conversation more than made up for the food flop - so the evening wasn't a complete catastrophe.

ROSEMARY RHUBARB DAIQUIRI

2 cups water, divided
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh rosemary leaves
3 cups 1/4 inch cubes fresh rhubarb
6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
1 1/2 cups white rum

Bring 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons sugar to simmer in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. Remove from heat, add 1/2 cup rosemary leaves. Let steep 5 minutes, strain.
Let syrup cool 1 hour.
Place rhubarb, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar in a blender. Process until coarse puree forms. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a medium bowl. Discard pulp. Cover and chill rosemary syrup and rhubarb juice separately at least 4 hours and up to 2 days.
Mix rosemary syrup, rhubarb juice, remaining 5 tablespoons lemon juice, and rum in a pitcher. Fill glasses with ice, add daiquiri mixture.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, April 2009
www.bonappetit.com/recipes

SALMON GOAT CHEESE AND LEEK TART

1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 leeks, halved, thinly sliced crosswise
1 cup cream
1 5.2 ounce package of soft herb cheese (such as Boursin), room temperature
1 3.5 ounce package of goat cheese, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons of chopped fresh thyme
2 eggs
4 ounces of thinly sliced smoked salmon

Heat oven to 350F.
Roll out puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 12 inch square. Line a 9 inch diameter tart pan with a removable bottom with pastry, cutting off excess at edge. Using fork pierce dough all over.
Freeze pastry 5 minutes. Cover pastry with aluminum foil. Fill with pie weights. Bake pastry 15 minutes. Remove weights and foil. Bake crust until golden, about 5 minutes longer. Cool completely on rack.
Heat oven to 425F.
Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced leeks and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add cream and simmer until leek mixture is reduced to 1 1/4 cups, about 5 minutes, Let cool.
Using wooden spoon, beat herb cheese, goat cheese and cream cheese in a large bowl until well blended. Stir in leek mixture, then lemon juice and thyme. Season mixture to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in eggs 1 at a time, blending well after each addition.
Spread half of filling over bottom of crust. Top with smoked salmon. Top salmon with remaining filling.
Bake tart until filling is set, about 30 minutes. Transfer to platter. Let tart cool to room temperature. Cut into wedges and serve.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, April 2004
www.bonappetit.com/recipes

COFFEE CARAMEL CREME BRULEE

2 cups cream, divided
1/4 cup dark roast coffee beans, crushed with a mallet in a plastic bag
1 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup water
2 cups half and half
8 egg yolks
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons raw sugar

Bring 1 cup of cream and the coffee beans to simmer in a heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat, cover and let steep at least 20 minutes and up to 1 hour.
Heat oven to 325F.
Stir 2/3 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium high and bring to boil, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush. Boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber, swirling pan occasionally, about 11 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Add remaining 1 cup cream.
Stir over low heat until caramel is smooth. Stir in half and half. Strain coffee infused cream into caramel cream, discard coffee beans in strainer.
Whisk yolks, salt, and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in cream mixture. Strain custard into large measuring cup.
Arrange eight ramekins in a roasting pan. Divide custard among ramekins. Add enough warm water to roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
Bake until the custards are just set in the center, 65 to 70 minutes. Transfer custards from water bath to the refrigerator. Chill until cold, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
Sprinkle top of each custard with 1 teaspoon of raw sugar. Using a kitchen torch, melt sugar on each custard until deep amber. Serve custards cold.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, March 2009
www.bonappetit.com/recipes

MAPLE GLAZED SALMON and MISO GLAZED SALMON WITH GREEN TEA RICE and GINGER POACHED SALMON WITH ORANGE AND HONEY

There is no shortage of information around about the health benefits of salmon - which is one of the many reasons we include it in weekly meals as much as possible.
Another is that it is something our whole family loves. I can put almost any variation on the table and it will be enjoyed without complaint - from the slightly spicy Maple Glazed Salmon, to the sweeter Ginger Poached Salmon with Orange and Honey.

MAPLE GLAZED SALMON

2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets
1 teaspoon maple syrup (I used more)

Heat oven to 400F.
Combine the paprika, chili powder, ancho chile powder, cumin and brown sugar. Sprinkle fish with salt, rub with paprika mixture. Place fish in a baking pan, sprayed with cooking spray, bake 7 to 10 minutes. Drizzle fish with maple syrup, grill 4 to 5 minutes, or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, May 2003
www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe-finder/

MISO GLAZED SALMON WITH GREEN TEA RICE

1 1/3 cups jasmine rice
1/4 cup miso
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
4 skin-on salmon fillets
1/2 cup loose leaf green tea
salt
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Cook the rice according to the package directions and keep warm.
Position a rack 4 inches from the broiler and heat the broiler on high.
In a small bowl. stir the miso, soy sauce and rice vinegar together until blended. Put the salmon fillets skin side down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Pat the salmon dry and broil for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and spread the miso mixture over the top of the fillets. Broil until the salmon is just barely opaque in the center, about 2 to 3 minutes more.
Meanwhile, pour 2 1/4 cups of boiling water over the tea leaves and 3/4 teaspoon salt, and let steep for 1 minute. Mix green onions and sesame seeds into the rice and divide among four shallow bowls. Pour the tea through a strainer around each mound of rice, with a spatula, lift the salmon from the baking sheet (leaving the skin behind if desired), and place on top of the rice.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Fine Cooking
www.finecooking.com/recipes/miso-glazed-salmon-green-tea-rice.aspx

GINGER POACHED SALMON WITH ORANGE AND HONEY

1 orange, zested and juiced
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
2 teaspoons finely chopped pickled ginger
2 tablespoons honey
4 salmon fillets
1 to 2 tablespoons butter

Combine orange zest, juice, chicken broth, grated ginger, pickled ginger and honey, add to a skillet  and bring just to a boil, over medium high heat, stirring occasionally.
Reduce heat to medium low and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add salmon, cover and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, carefully turn fish over and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until fish is cooked through.
Transfer salmon to a plate and cover loosely to keep warm. Increase heat to medium high and cook sauce in the skillet just until it comes to a boil. Whisk in butter, stirring until sauce is slightly thickened. Divide fillets among individual plates, spoon warm sauce over and serve immediately.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, October 2007
www.arkansas.com/dining/recipes/

SALMON WITH MAPLE SYRUP AND TOASTED ALMONDS

My husband and I have been trying to eat a little healthier, which for us, includes incorporating fish at least twice a week into our meals. This was easy to prepare, and was very moist and delicious - in fact, Rolf said it was my best salmon yet. I will definitely make this again!

SALMON WITH MAPLE SYRUP AND TOASTED ALMONDS

6 (6 ounce) salmon fillets
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 teaspoons sliced almonds, toasted

Heat oven to 425F.
Place fillets in a 13 by 9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Combine sugar, syrup, soy sauce, mustard, and black pepper. Pour maple syrup mixture over fillets.
Cover with foil, bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle the fillets with almonds. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Serve with maple syrup mixture.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light
www.cookinglight.com/