Best Salmon Recipe Ideas To Tackle Your Next Holiday Party

The ABC of Salmon

If you're looking to add more seafood to your diet, salmon is the fish to go with. It's not only delicious, but also packed with a whole host of nutrients that can benefit your health. Here's what you need to know about this popular fish.

Salmon is a type of oily fish that is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These are vital for heart and brain health. In fact, studies have shown that eating salmon can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Salmon is also an excellent source of protein and vitamin D, making it a nutritious addition to any diet.

When shopping for salmon, look for wild-caught instead of farm-raised fish, as the latter tends to be higher in Omega-3s and contain lower mercury levels. When it comes to cooking salmon, you can dish it out in different ways, but grilled salmon, baked salmon, and even salmon cakes are an all-round hit. Just be sure not to overcook it, as that can make the fish dry and tough. Serve salmon with a simple salad or roasted vegetables for a complete and healthy meal.

What Makes Salmon Such a Great Catch

Salmon is a great catch for several reasons.

• Unlike seafood that can contain high levels of mercury and other toxins, salmon is a low-risk fish. It is also environment-friendly as salmon farming is comparatively better managed than meat production.
  
• Salmon farming is also less water-intensive compared to land-based animal husbandry such as cattle rearing, which is high on water consumption. Farmed salmon is said to consume 2000 litres of fresh water for 1 kg of edible meat, while poultry consumes 4300 litres for 1 kg of meat.
• Wild salmon is an excellent source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce the chances of developing heart-related ailments, and strengthen brain cells.
• Salmon is also rich in vitamins and minerals like potassium, selenium, iron, and Vitamins D and B12 that boost the production of red blood cells and strengthen the nervous system.
• Wild salmon is low in saturated fats and provides good fatty acids, essential for the human body.
• When you select salmon as one of your Dinner Recipes, you're cultivating a better diet. When you consume more salmon, you can manage your body weight better.

Best Baked Salmon Recipe

Ingredients-

• 4 salmon fillets
  
• 4 oz thyme and rosemary (or other herbs as per your choice)
  
• 1 tbsp olive oil
  

1. Preheat the oven to 347 F. Coat all sides of the salmon fillets with olive oil or butter. Season them well.
   
2. Take an ovenproof baking sheet and place the seasoned salmon fillets on it. You can cover the dish with salmon foil if you want your fish to be tender.
   
3. Roast the salmon fillets for 10-15 minutes. Check its tenderness with a fork; you must be able to separate the flakes easily.
   
4. Now your baked salmon is ready. Serve after garnishing with chopped herbs of your choice. You can also add some lemon slices and potato wedges on the side.
   

Stellar Smoked Salmon with Spinach

Ingredients-

• 6 fillets of smoked salmon
  
• 1 oz butter
  
• 40 oz spinach
  
• 10 oz cream
  

1. Use a large saucepan to cook the spinach. Add a few spoons of water to the pan, add the spinach and cover the lid. Cook the spinach for 6-8 minutes till it becomes soft.
   
2. Once cooked, completely drain the spinach and let it cool. Make sure all the water dries up.
   
3. Now chop the spinach.
   
4. Melt the butter on the saucepan and add the spinach to it. Toss it around for few minutes and season with salt and pepper.
   
5. Preheat the oven to 320 F.
   
6. Get a gratin dish and make a bed of the lightly cooked spinach in it.
   
7. Place the smoked salmon on top of the spinach bed.
   
8. Lightly heat the cream in another small pan and pour it on top of the salmon and spinach.
   
9. Bake for a minimum of 30 minutes till the top turns slightly brown.
   
10. Serve hot and marvel at your simple smoked salmon spread.
    

Outstanding One-pan Salmon Recipe

Ingredients-

• 3 salmon fillets
  
• 15 oz potato (cut in halves)
  
• 10 asparagus spears (also halved)
  
• 2 oz basil leaves
  
• 2 tbsp olive oil
  
• 6 oz cherry tomatoes
  
• 1 tbsp vinegar
  

1. Preheat the oven to 392 F.
   
2. Take an ovenproof pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and add the potatoes. Roast the potatoes for 20 minutes.
   
3. Now add the asparagus to the same pan and toss it around. Roast again for 15 minutes.
   
4. Take out the pan, add the cherry tomatoes and place the salmon in between the vegetables.
   
5. Sprinkle the olive oil and roast the dish with the salmon fillets for a minimum of 10 minutes. Check for the doneness of the salmon.
   
6. Sprinkle the basil leaves and serve hot from the pan.
   

How to Shop For These Salmon Recipes

With salmon having become a hot menu item across the Restaurant Industry, demand for the fish has skyrocketed. This has led to farmed salmon taking over the market. Although farmed salmon has most of the health benefits and flavor of the fish, it doesn't quite match up to wild salmon. Yet, farmed salmon is the next best thing if you can't lay your hands on the wild-caught stuffand it's cheaper too.

Here are a couple of points to keep in mind when buying salmon-

• Buy salmon that looks moist. This is an indication of the freshness of the fish.
• Avoid salmon that has brown spots or any coloring on the skin and belly region. It should also not be bruised.
• Look for bright pink and red shades of salmon. Do not go for salmon that's pale.

How to Store Your Salmon

If you're the kind of person who loves to cook salmon often, you must frequently have leftovers to contend with. But how do you store leftover salmon so that you don't run a Food Safety risk? Here are some essential tips on the best ways to store salmon-

• If you have to store a salmon preparation, like all other cooked dishes you must let it cool for a maximum of two hours after cooking, and then immediately refrigerate it.
• Use shallow, airtight containers to store cooked salmon, including salmon cakes and roasted salmon. This will increase the shelf-life of the dish.
• If you have to store cooked salmon for more than four days, freeze it. Simple refrigeration will not be enough to prolong its shelf-life.