Description
Seasonal lemon herb salmon shines in this nourishing quinoa bowl, blending Mediterranean flavors with fresh ingredients. Balanced nutrition meets elegant simplicity, offering a delightful meal you’ll savor with each bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz / 170 g)
- 1 cup quinoa (170 g)
- 2 cups water or chicken broth (480 ml)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 tbsps olive oil
- 3 tbsps lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Quinoa Preparation: Thoroughly rinse quinoa under cool water to eliminate bitter residue. Simmer in liquid until tender and fluffy, about 15-18 minutes. Fluff with fork and set aside to cool slightly.
- Salmon Marinade: Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, parsley, and seasonings. Generously coat salmon fillets, ensuring complete coverage and flavor infusion.
- Cooking Salmon: Heat cooking surface to 400°F. Position salmon skin-side down, cooking until golden and flaky with opaque center, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Dressing Creation: Blend olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, and dried oregano. Whisk until smooth and emulsified, balancing tangy and sweet flavor profiles.
- Bowl Assembly: Layer cooked quinoa as base. Carefully place salmon on top. Strategically arrange sliced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese for visual and textural contrast.
- Final Touches: Drizzle lemon herb dressing generously over assembled bowls. Sprinkle fresh parsley or cilantro for vibrant garnish and additional flavor complexity.
Notes
- Rinse Quinoa Thoroughly: Remove bitter saponin coating by washing under cold water before cooking to ensure a clean, nutty flavor profile.
- Control Salmon Cooking Temperature: Maintain consistent 400°F heat to achieve perfectly flaky texture without overcooking, checking doneness by opaque center and golden exterior.
- Balance Dressing Consistency: Whisk dressing ingredients gradually and vigorously to create smooth emulsification, preventing separation and ensuring even coating.
- Customize Dietary Preferences: Swap feta with plant-based cheese for vegan option, use gluten-free quinoa, and select wild-caught salmon for sustainable protein source.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg