Friday, February 24, 2012

Spiced Salmon



Salmon is my go-to dinner whenever I want to purge from the excesses of eating too many things I shouldn't have. It's healthy and has a richness of flavor that belies its health benefits. It contains a fair amount of fats - but the kind that are good for you - Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3's are thought to reduce inflammation - inflammation that leads to heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, arthritis and some types of cancer.  They've also been found to slow down cognitive problems associated with alzheimer's disease and reduce the risk of depression and suicide. 
It's nice to find something you love to eat that's actually good for you, isn't it? At least once a week, I sit down to a salmon dinner - either grilled, broiled or pan sauteed with salt and pepper, or with a dusting of fiery cajun spices. But another way I frequently fall back on is this recipe I've been making for years. I don't know where it originates from. I wrote it down on a piece of paper years ago without taking note of where I found it. But it must be fairly ubiquitous because Gilda, a friend of mine, served it to me the exact same way a couple of years ago. She doesn't remember where she got the recipe either.
The important thing is to try it. It's spicy but not as spicy as the cajun blend I buy. It's got a sweetness to it too, but I cut the brown sugar in half from the version I had originally written down. The recipe also called for splashing the fish with a little pineapple juice in addition to the lemon juice, but it's not something I normally keep in the house, so I just omit it. I also ask the fishmonger to cut off the skin, but you could also leave it on, if you like. Cooking it at 400 degrees for 12 minutes is also the perfect time and temperature needed to achieve a piece of salmon that's still moist on the inside without being raw. See for yourself -- and try it.

Join me for a week in Italy at the end of May and live like an Italian - sightseeing, cooking and eating in a villa located in the Alban Hills near Rome. There's still time to enroll. For details go to:

Spiced Salmon

printable recipe here

4 6-ounce salmon filets

1/2 lemon
1 T. brown sugar
2 t. chili powder
2 t. grated lemon rind
3/4 t. ground cumin
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. cinnamon
Squirt the lemon over the salmon filets and mix all the rest of the ingredients together. Place the fish in a greased baking pan and spread the mixture over the filets. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes
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19 comments:

  1. Wonderful sopices. That salmon is cooked to perfection! So juicy and and tender...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. I got hypnotized by the picture. This delicious dish will haunt me. A must cook and eat rating =)

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  3. I'm a big fan of salmon. In fact, it may be my favorite fish although I like all kinds. I'm definitely on the same page when it comes to the sugar/pineapple juice—a little goes a long way!

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  4. I like this sweet spicy combo.
    I will make this during the week for my inlaws. I need another way to prepare my salmon. Thanks!

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  5. I just picked up salmon yesterday for an easy weekday meal and here you are with precisely how to do it. It will be on my table by Monday. Love when these things work out with little effort on my part.

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  6. The combination of these spices sounds perfect. We also try to have salmon at least once a week and I like cooking it at home because it often comes to the table a little over done when we order in restaurants. Thanks for this recipe Linda.

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  7. This is a wonderfully timely recipe for the season of Lent!

    We also have salmon at least once a week -- today I am preparing salmon cakes. I'll try your flavor combination the next time I prepare a salmon steak as it sound delicious! Thanks Linda!

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  8. I buy the Sockeye Salmon in the individually frozen and vacuum sealed bags and I will definitely try this tomorrow or Sunday. I usually do a raspberry vinaigrette, but this is so calling my name.

    I have been absent in commenting, but I always read all your wonderful recipes.

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  9. Linda, This looks fabulous! I will try your spice blend, yummm!

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  10. I love fresh salmon, seared and roasted. I'm always looking for new ways to prepare it. I love the idea of sweet and spicy. Thanks for the recipe. Your fish does look perfectly moist.

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  11. Salmon is a favorite of mine, too -- just made some last night. I wish I had a fishmonger; I have to rely on frozen. But the sweet-spicy combination saves it.

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  12. I simply adore salmon and have some sitting on the counter as we speak.

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  13. That dish looks pretty and tasty at the same time!

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  14. Dear Linda, I just love salmon. The recipe sounds delicious. I like the way the veggies look too. Perfecto! Blessings my dear, Catherine xoxo

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  15. Your salmon is perfectly cooked, Linda, and this recipe is making my mouth water. Just found out I am deficient in Vitamin D and my doctor told me to include salmon in my diet so your post timing is perfect.

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  16. Salmon was my absolute favorite "meaty" item to eat when I wasn't a vegetarian. I have recently been contemplating adding a fish day into my diet and this delicious looking filet with that seasoning on top may have made my decision ;-)

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  17. salmon it's a delicious fish and easy to make , I like your spice blend !

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  18. I agree about eating salmon. As I have been eating way too much while traveling, it will be on our dinner plate ofter. Your spice mixture sounds good.

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