HERBED QUINOA

 

I am really disappointed that I do not have a more appetizing photo to go with this post because One...this is hands-down my new favorite side dish, Two...it is healthy and it tastes amazing....and Three...it looks so much better than this in real life (said in a whiny voice).  I have got to work harder on my food photography skills!

It is for times like these that I wish you could reach through the computer and take a big bite.  The quinoa is cooked but the rest of the ingredients, like the lemon juice and basil, are added fresh.  I seriously love this warm but I equally love it cold, as well. 

 

If you are like me, I did not grow up eating quinoa...I had never heard of it until recently.  In fact, I had to look up what quinoa was...grain...seed...pasta?  I had no idea! First of all, quinoa is pronounced KEEN-WAH.  It is a grain and it is gluten-free.  It is also a good source of protein, iron and fiber.  It is super-easy and fast to cook.  Doesn't it sound like the perfect, healthy food?  These things drew me in and made me want to try it and hope that I would like it.  I so need more healthy items in my diet.

 

Well...success!  I am absolutely in love with this dish (have I said that before?) but, I am not sure that I would love all quinoa dishes.  Quinoa has a distinct flavor, which I feel like this recipe kind of masks.  But I am giving it the benefit of the doubt...so far, so good!  Oh, and I need to give credit to Giada's new cookbook from which I got this recipe from...."Giada's Feel Good Food"!  It is more than just a cookbook, although it IS filled with great recipes, it also has a ton of beneficial health and nutrition tips.

Okay, enough jibber-jabber...here is the recipe!  Hope you try it and like it...let me know : )


HERBED QUINOA

2 cups Chicken Broth (I use Campbell's)
1-1/2 cups Quinoa
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 teaspoons grated Lemon Zest
1/4 cup fresh Lemon Juice
3/4 cup chopped fresh Basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf Parsley leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Thyme
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground Black Pepper


In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth and quinoa to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce the heat so that the broth simmers, cover the pan, and cook until all the liquid is absorbed 12 to 15 minutes (it may take longer...just eye it).  Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl.

In the meantime, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, basil, parsley, thyme, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Pour the dressing over the quinoa and toss until all of the ingredients are coated.

NOTE: Giada's recipe calls for 2 (4 ounce) cans of boneless, skinless salmon, drained and flaked tossed with the quinoa and dressing.

ENJOY!

PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE

 

 



 

 

DIJON HERB CRUSTED SALMON

Nordstrom  Restaurant is mine and my daughter's favorite place to eat when we are shopping at the Houston Galleria.  Because I have been trying to eat things that will benefit my body and my health, I looked on the menu for what I thought would be the healthiest meal and what I would like the best and I discovered the Nicoise Salad with Herb Crusted Salmon.  Oh my goodness....the best salmon ever.  I am not a die hard salmon fan but I will eat it because I know it is good for me.  But my daughter won't touch it.  The first bite I took, I realized I had to get her to try it.  It literally tasted like a grilled steak...not fishy at all!  Remarkably, I didn't have to beg.  I think she just saw how amazed I was by it that she was eager to see if finally she could actually like salmon.  Well she took more than one bite and we asked the waiter how to make it.  He was so nice and told us but he also told us that it was in the Nordstrom cookbook, "Flavors". 

I made the recipe last night and it was super easy and a-m-a-z-i-n-g!!  My husband does not like salmon, he likes fishing for it, but eating it....not so much.  He loved it! 

Be sure to get the best salmon you can.  In my area, the best I could find was at H-E-B in Beaumont.  The guy behind the counter told me that they get fresh fish in every other day.  Be careful though, there are several to choose from.  Some are previously frozen, some are farm raised, and some even have color added....what's up with that?!  I finally decided to get farm raised with no hormones added, no color added and had not been previously frozen.  I also had the skin removed.  I would love to hear where you get your fresh fish if you are in my area.

Another thing, don't skimp on the Dijon mustard.  Make sure you coat the fish well.  It is so delicious in this recipe!

I hope you try this recipe.  Salmon is so good and healthy for our bodies and this recipe is worth giving a whirl!  Oh and I think I am going to try this herb mixture on top of some chicken.  It is just so delicious!

DIJON HERB CRUSTED SALMON

4 Green Onions, white and light green parts only, minced
1/4 cup Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley, packed and chopped
1/4 cup Fresh Basil, firmly packed and chopped
1 tablespoon Fresh Oregano, firmly packed and chopped
1 tablespoon Fresh Thyme, firmly packed and chopped
3 large Garlic Cloves, minced
1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

6 Skinless Salmon Fillets (6 ounces each)
Sea Salt or Kosher Salt
Black Pepper, freshly ground
2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

To make the Herb Crust, in a small bowl, stir together the green onion, parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, and garlic.  Drizzle in the oil and stir to moistened evenly.  Set aside.

Season the salmon on both sides with salt and pepper.  Place the salmon, skinned side down, on the prepared baking sheet.  Using the back of a spoon, evenly spread 1 teaspoon of mustard over the exposed surface of each fillet.  Using a rubber spatula, evenly spread about 2 tablespoons of the herb crust over the mustard coating on each fillet.

Roast until the salmon is barely opaque when flaked with the tip of a knife, about 10 minutes.

Using a thin, flexible metal spatula, transfer the salmon fillets to warmed dinner plates. 

Serve immediately.

ENJOY!

 

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE RECIPE