Spiced Salmon with Orange Basil Quinoa Salad

Spiced Salmon with Orange Basil
Quinoa Salad

Servings

Ready In:

about 45 min

Good For:

dinner

About this Recipe

By: Morgana Jane

The flavors here are divine and subtle and everything is so fresh. The oranges lend a brilliant flavor and texture to the quinoa and the salmon will melt in your mouth!

Ingredients

4 single-serving salmon filets
Olive oil to brush the salmon
½ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp fennel powder
1/2 tsp salt
6 cracks black pepper
1 tbsp natural sugar
Sprinkle of chili flakes (optional)
Zest of ½ orange, to garnish (zest ½ of one of the sliced oranges that are called for in the salad below)

Orange Basil Quinoa Salad
1 c quinoa
3 green onions, chopped
2 blood oranges peeled, sliced into ¼”rounds, rounds quartered
– use straight up oranges if blood oranges are not available. You could even used pink grapefruit!
8 mint leaves, roughly chopped
8 basil leaves, chiffonade
¼ c pistachios, shelled
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice from 1 wedge of lemon
1 tbsp liquid honey
15 cracks black pepper
½ tsp salt

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Quinoa, Orange, Basil!

To accompany this divine, melt in your mouth salmon, we’ve prepared a light and citrusy quinoa salad with delightful textures and subtle flavors.

It’s juicy, crunchy, and tart with a hint of sweet.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Put the quinoa on and cook to package instructions (usually: 1 c quinoa to 1 ¾ c water and pinch of salt, bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for just under 15 minutes, until the quinoa is tender (but not disintegrating!) and the water has been absorbed.

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Step 2

Mix the cinnamon, fennel, salt, pepper, chili flakes (optional), and sugar together in a small bowl. Set the oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment. Place the salmon filets on the baking sheet, skin side down, use a pastry brush to brush a little olive oil on the salmon, then share the seasoning mixture over top of the filets and use your fingers to gently distribute and rub the seasoning into the salmon, then set aside.

When the quinoa is done add a tablespoon of butter, mix well, then turn the quinoa onto a large plate to cool.

Once the quinoa is cooling pop the salmon into the oven for 15 – 20 minutes until cooked through to your preference. Use this time to prep the orange zest and oranges, green onion, basil, and mint.

Step 3

When the quinoa has cooled place it into a large bowl, drizzle the juice of the lemon wedge and the honey overtop and mix gently, then add the oranges, green onions, salt, pepper, basil, and mint and toss gently until evenly combined. Set aside until the salmon is done.

Step 4

When the salmon is done remove it from the oven and serve over 4 plates. Serve the quinoa alongside and scatter each salad with pistachios. Sprinkle a bit of orange zest over each serving of salmon, then sit down and enjoy the warm and delicious flavors of the masterpiece that you have created for dinner!

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