Easy Salmon Recipe

EASY BAKED SALMON
This Baked Salmon with Lemon is a deliciously quick and easy weeknight meal that's healthy and flavorful. This salmon recipe only needs 15 minutes on the sheet pan.

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat
​Method: Bake
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

• 2 lb salmon fillet, about 1-inch thick
• Zest of 1 large lemon
• Juice of half of the lemon
• 2 TB freshly chopped basil leaves
• 1 tsp garlic powder 
• ½ tsp kosher salt 
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 TB olive oil, plus extra for pan

Instructions

• Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375F with rack on lower middle position. Line a large sheet pan with foil and grease the foil with some olive oil. Set aside.
• Remove Moisture: Use paper towels to pat-dry the salmon fillet, ensuring that all excess moisture is removed (this step is important, as excess water/moisture causes fish to be "steamed" instead.) Place salmon on the prepared sheet pan.
• Mix Seasonings: In a small bowl, stir together all remaining ingredients until combined. Evenly press the mixture over the top of salmon.
• Bake: Bake salmon for 10 minutes in preheated oven. Carefully but quickly take salmon out, move rack to top position underneath the broiler, and place salmon tray back on rack.
• Broil: Broil on high for up to 5 minutes or until top is nicely browned, but watch carefully for even browning without burning. Remove from heat immediately. Serve with extra slices of lemon.

Notes

• This lemon basil salmon is amazing with Easy Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms or this 20-Minute Lemon Spinach Orzo Salad
• If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating ♡

Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.1g | Protein: 34.1g | Fat: 9.6g | Saturated Fat: 1.6g | Cholesterol: 77.2mg | Sodium: 313.1mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 2.1g

Rice Pilaf my own version is:
*Note: Sometimes I remake these sort of recipes easy by using left over white rice: Simply sauté the onions and mushrooms in olive oil for a few minutes until translucent. Add the seasonings and add the rice and a 1/2 cup broth and cook it down. I've learned these cooking hacks from years of having for feed my family in a pinch and still food prep for competitions.
​(During the summer, I’ll have my husband make this on the grill! Super easy and a partnership cooking!)

Here's a more step by step 
EASY RICE PILAF WITH MUSHROOMS
This Easy Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms is tender, fluffy, and flavorful. It's the perfect side dish to accompany any meal, anytime. *notes for an easier version

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 40 minute
Servings: 8 

Ingredients 

• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 2 oz salted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon table salt (used Himalayan salt)
• 1 cup good quality long grain rice, such as Jasmine and brown 2 cups of cooked rice
• 8 oz sliced mushrooms
• 2 cups regular strength beef broth
• Optional: chives or parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large heavy pan, heat olive oil on medium heat. Add onions and cook/stir until softened and almost caramelized, 5-10 min. Add butter, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Stir well to combine. Add rice, stirring to coat. Add mushrooms and beef broth; stir. Bring to boil, cover with tight-fitting lid, and immediately lower to simmer.
2. Simmer 30 minutes, without opening lid. With lid still on, turn heat off and let sit 5 minutes. Fluff with fork and season with additional salt/pepper to taste. If desired, garnish with chopped chives or parsley.

Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 354mg | Potassium: 171mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 355IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.5mg