Healthy Baked Salmon and Vegetables

“Who doesn’t love quick and easy dinners??”

I don’t know about you, but when I get home from work I’m pooped. I usually still haul my bum to the gym, but when I get back? I’m so done. I’ve been on my feet all day; my legs are tired, my arms are tired, my brain is tired. I love cooking, but it’s not at the top of my list when I’m grouchy and tired.

So I’ve tried to come up with some healthy recipes that take the thinking and the effort out of cooking. I try to always keep these ingredients on hand so when I’m not in the mood for one dish, I can have another. I will be sharing more recipes to come, but I’m providing this baked salmon with vegetables dish first because it was probably the first one I added to my repertoire.

When I look for weeknight meals, I look for recipes with healthy ingredients that are fast and simple to prepare. ‘Cause I ain’t got time for something that will keep me in the kitchen until 9pm. During the week, who doesn’t love quick and easy dinners?? And the less hands-on it is – the more on-board I am!

This meal is the epitome of a hands-off meal. In a nutshell, you season the salmon (which could be swapped for any other fish you like), chop up the veggies, and stick them all in the oven. That’s it! I love it haha. In this recipe I also added in a side of sauteed kale and walnuts for extra veggies, but you can omit if you want to keep it simple!

– Wild rice

– 2 Salmon fillets (4-5 oz.)

– 1 Zucchini

– 1 Red bell pepper

– 1/2 Red onion

– 1 cup Kale

– 1/4 cup Walnuts

– Olive oil

– Lemon juice

– Pepper

– Garlic powder (you can also use minced garlic on the salmon, which is what I did)

– Onion powder

1. Cook the wild rice according to the package directions. Do not add butter or salt.

2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

3. Slice up the zucchini, bell pepper, and red onion.

4. Cover a baking sheet with tin foil for easy cleanup. Place the sliced vegetables on the baking sheet so that no vegetables overlap. Lightly drizzle the vegetables with olive oil.

5. Place the salmon fillets on the other side of the baking sheet. Season salmon fillets and vegetables with pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder (or minced garlic) to taste.

6. Place baking sheet in oven for 15-18 minutes, or until salmon cooks all the way through.

7. While salmon and vegetables are baking, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Place kale and walnuts into the pan and sprinkle with lemon juice, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Saute for 4-5 minutes, or until the kale wilts a little and takes on a more vibrant green. Remove pan from heat.

8. Fill half of your plate with vegetables, a fourth with wild rice, and place the salmon fillet on the bed of rice for a well-balanced and delicious meal.

Enjoy!

For more healthy eating recipes, see my 5 healthy dessert alternatives!