Baked Salmon and Lemon Foil Packets - A healthy Start!

There are times when we eat healthy, and there are times when we indulge. This is a healthy day. And one of my all time favorite healthy foods has to be salmon. I could eat salmon everyday. That's how good it is. And it not only is delicious, but a healthy addition to my household meals.

Here are some healthy benefits that I've heard about salmon:

Salmon is high in vitamin D and along with selenium found in salmon, has been said to have anti-cancerous properties, and can protect against different kinds of cancer.

Salmon is also a source of omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which is said can help protect the heart from plaque buildup-up.

Salmon and fish oil promotes eye health and is known to improve vision.

I make no claims or guarantee what health benefits salmon can provide, but from all that I've read or heard about salmon, it sounds like a superfood to me.

And I know that butter is not really known as a superfood, I couldn't help myself. But hey it's a start!

And my kids can't get enough of it:) 

When I tell them that I am cooking salmon for them, they get so excited, and can't wait for me to get started on dinner.

My husband on the other hand is a meat and potatoes man, and wants nothing to do with it.

So I usually cook this when I know that he will be out for a while at his buddies house watching basketball.

While he is watching basketball and eating all kinds of snacks, we will be eating healthy, and that kind of balances things out right!?

So here is my recipe for baked salmon in foil. Below this recipe, you will find links to additional salmon recipes by some awesome bloggers.

Ingredients:

4 salmon fillets 

2 lemons sliced

2 tablespoons butter sliced into pats

Salt and pepper to taste 

Grated lemon zest 

Minced parsley for garnish

4 pieces of non-stick foil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

On each piece of foil, place two lemon slices in center. Then add salmon fillet on top of lemon slices. Top salmon with two pats of butter, and season generously with salt and pepper. Add a pinch of grated lemon zest, and fold foil into a packet. Place foil packets onto a baking sheet, and let bake for about 30 minutes. Serve with rice or veggies, add a bit of chopped parsley and enjoy!

Here is a few more recipes from some of the best websites around!

http://pinchofyum.com/caramelized-salmon

http://www.skinnymom.com/2014/07/01/connection-recipe-coconut-crusted-salmon/

http://damndelicious.net/2013/11/13/sesame-ginger-salmon/

http://www.betterrecipes.com/blogs/daily-dish/2014/01/08/healthy-salmon-dinner/

http://cuckooking.blogspot.com/2011/12/bruschetta-salmon.html

 

http://www.savvyinthekitchen.com/2013/12/st-nicholas-day-salmon-and-great.html

Be sure to check out these wonderful salmon recipes for you and your family to enjoy! Happy Eating:)

St. Nicholas Day - Salmon And Great Northern Beans

Today is December 19th, in which our Serbian culture celebrates the Slava.

A unique Serbian Orthodox religious tradition, a family thanksgiving festival celebrating its patron saint. Throughout the year there are many  slavas that represent different saints and there feasts.

December 19th is the feast day of Saint Nicholas. Or as we call it Sveti Nikola.

This link will explain the true meaning of the day we celebrate, and the real Santa Claus.

It is observed on dec. 6th or 19th depending on the region and family heritage.

Even though our family is modernized and we really don't speak the language, this family tradition is still really strong with us, and that is something I love.

There are many ways to celebrate this day and many families have different beliefs and traditions on how things should be done on this day. And I am sharing with you the way my family celebrates with a simple family dinner honoring St. Nick.

This is a wonderful day of celebration and it is a day that according to family tradition, that if observed will bring health and happiness for the family in the coming year. And I'm all for that!

The foods that accompany this feast mainly vegan with the allowance of fish.

So on the 18th of December and 19th of December the heads of the household that are guiding the feast, must eat only vegan foods.

This used to be quite a task a while back as the only thing that I have seen people eat we're tuna, salad and peanut butter sandwiches besides the feast dinner. But now there are so many options out there thanks to whole foods market and everything soy! 

But the main part of this feast is the fish dinner. This is celebrated on the 19th and the food is surrounding a lighted candle, for Christ the light of the world, and wine, honey, coffee, water.

I have to admit that nothing went quite the way I wanted it to go.

Everything kind of felt slow motion and backward. My kitchen is just way to small for my life, I have no dishwasher, no counterspace , not a lot of storage.

Did you ever have one of those days?

I really need to organize. Any way I got it done...barely.

But the food came out great and my kids love salmon so that was our fish of choice to mark this occasion.

I truly love St. Nicholas day and I wish all of you christmas and New Years joy!

Today I will be making Salmon and great northern beans. 

Sauté beans in olive oil

Add lemon Zest and rosemary. As you can tell, I need

A new camera!

Salmon looks yummy already!

Add vegetable broth.

Add the salmon pieces 

Cover with a top. This is one of my favorite Dutch oven!

This dish is adapted from Martha Stewart Everyday Food

3-4 tablespoons olive oil

2 cans great northern beans

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

And lemon wedges for serving

1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary

1/2 cup vegetable broth

3 salmon fillets 4-6 ounces each

1/3 cup rough chopped parsley

Salt and ground black pepper

I used my garlic shaped Dutch oven that my mother-in-law gave me a few holidays ago. You can also use a large skillet that has a top. In the skillet on medium, heat oil then add beans, zest of lemon, rosemary and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Sauté for a few minutes until the beans get a little soft about 4-5 minutes stirring frequently. While that is sautéing, sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of salmon. I took three pieces of salmon and I cut them in half to fit my Dutch oven a bit better.  Add broth to skillet, stir then add salmon. Cover with lid and cook for about 10-15 minutes until salmon is nice and opaque.

Top with parsley and serve with a squeeze of lemon and lemon wedges.

I served it right in my Dutch oven because it looked so cute on the table.

What other holidays are your favorite?