Salmon is a healthy and tasty fish. Since it is low in calories and high in taste, it is a good food to serve to your family regularly. The beautiful color lends itself to a spectacular presentation for guests, as well.
Eating more salmon can increase omega 3 in your diet. Omega 3, poly-unsaturated fatty acids, may help increase your good cholesterol (HDL) and lower your triglycerides. Various studies show that more omega 3 can lower blood pressure and protect against Alzheimer’s Disease.
So it makes sense to add salmon to your diet. If you have not yet tried cooking salmon, you might think it is difficult. However, salmon, especially filleted, is one of the easiest fish to cook. Baked salmon is especially convenient and delicious. You can keep it simple, and just add a little lemon juice and garlic, or you can get far more elaborate in your preparation. Let’s start with the basics of baking salmon.
First you’ll need a hot oven, so preheat your oven to 375 degrees. (Salmon is very forgiving and you can choose a range between 350 and 450 degrees.) Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and use a little olive oil to grease the foil.
A delicious way to prepare the salmon is to marinate the fish for two or three hours before you bake it. You can experiment with different marinades, but a favorite is a mixture of olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. First rinse the fish in cold water, and then put into a shallow pan and cover with the marinade.
Now comes the easy part: baking the salmon. Remove the salmon from the marinade, and place it on the baking sheet. Pop it into the preheated oven, and bake for about 12 minutes (longer if the fish is especially big). A general rule is to count on about 10 minutes for every inch of salmon thickness.
The most important thing in baking salmon is to make sure not to overcook the fish. Stay in the kitchen to watch the fish. Setting a timer is a good idea. Remove the fish as soon as the timer rings. Check it with a fork to see if it is lightly pink and opaque throughout. Take the salmon out of the pan right away to avoid further cooking.
Serve the baked salmon with baked potatoes and a salad for a complete and satisfying meal. Another idea is to serve the baked salmon with jasmine rice and stir-fried vegetables. Since it is such a versatile fish, use your imagination and serve it often for a healthy, low-calorie dish. Now that you know how simple it is to bake salmon, what are you waiting for?
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