Spicy Smoked Tomato Salmon: A Heart Healthy Recipe on a Budget

In the dish and ready for work lunch...my favorite part of work!

Yes, yes, I’m breaking the rules and posting about an animal recipe on Meatless Monday. But it’s ok, I’m not eating it today, just writing about it…..that doesn’t count, right?

Did you have a good Easter? The rain held off for most of the day, but started to come down in the afternoon. At least the kids got to hunt for eggs; minus the few hardboiled ones that fell victim to the dogs running around…I guess it’s better than a bunny!

If you haven’t noticed, I tend to avoid most food I didn’t have a hand in preparing. As such, when we go to family gatherings, I try to bring something I made so that I have something to eat. The food served may not be that bad (though some of it is), but it’s just a quirky thing about me.

Are you the same way when it comes to going outside of your “zone” for meals? Even a little bit? I like to prepare things I enjoy, and think maybe, just maybe others will like it too. But if they don’t, no worries, I’ll just have plenty of leftovers I don’t mind eating. This is way better than just picking up a pre-made potato salad from the store (bleh) and being left with extras that’ll get tossed.

Last time I brought a big bowl of steamed Brussels sprouts and mushrooms seasoned with a few herbs and spices. Besides a few nibbles from other, the whole thing was consumed by my mom and me; I guess I get it from her.

How can you not want these tasty delights?

This time we just brought a salad with carrots and tomatoes due to lack of time since I cooked meals for Kelley, our work friend, and myself to have for work lunches. Needless to say, I finished the salad we brought with no dressing needed!

This will be the last week to cook food for our work friend since he found another job. He has been really happy with the lunches I cooked; he even said he’s lost a few pounds! I love hearing his enthusiasm, and wish I could still prepare meals for him to continue his success.

One meal he loved was an easier dish I cooked, but he raved about it and I quote, said it was “Awesome!” I’m very hesitant to make food for people other than Kelley since it’s not as rich as most are used to, so hearing this was exciting. I made it again (per request) for his last week here, and felt inclined to share this easy, and of course healthy, recipe. Maybe you can make your friends and family say “Awesome!” after serving this heart healthy dish.

My small cup of extras with celery "utensils"

Spicy Smoked Tomato Salmon  

(Serves 4)

2 bags frozen fiesta blend mixed vegetables; an Asian blend with edamame works too
6oz can boneless-skinless salmon in water; choose no-salt added if available

2 – 3 tbls Drew’s Smoked Tomato Dressing/Marinade

1 tbls cumin

1/2 tbls each of garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika

1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne; I add more to my own dish for extra heat

3 tbls dried or 1/2 cup fresh cilantro

2 tbls dried oregano

Pepper to taste

  

Steam all veggies in the microwave or stovetop and open can of salmon. Drain excess water from the salmon and add to cooked veggies in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well to ensure an even coating of Drew’s dressing; add a bit more if you need. Scoop and serve immediately or put in a container for a healthy lunch to put fast food to shame.

  

Optional extras: Mix 4oz of creamy goat cheese with the veggies for a smoky and tangy delight; replace some of the dressing with spicy brown mustard; try your own favorite dressing (just make sure to check for unwanted ingredients like sugar).

  

Kelley loves this meal too, so it’s not going away anytime soon; always want to keep the wife happy!

  

Do you have a meal you like to bring to gatherings just because it’s something you approve of and will eat?