Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Grilled Salmon Salad with Sweet Citrus Vinaigrette

Back in grade school, I won the perfect attendance award not one but two grades in a row. As a child I was blessed with a strong immune system and really never, ever got sick....except for the one time I faked it to skip school. Luckily I've stayed pretty healthy into adulthood and have never gotten the flu despite being too much of a wuss to willingly subject myself to a flu shot.

Salmon Spinach SaladThis year, fueled by the flu media frenzy, I lined up with the masses and sat down for my first ever flu shot. Good news: it didn't hurt. Bad news: I'm sick now. boo.

I don't blame the shot - I know its a killed virus vaccine but I can't help but wonder at the bad coincidence. Ho Hum.

What does this have to do with a salad you might ask? Well, I admit not much though I did search for a recipe containing oranges to get my ever important Vitamin C dosage for the day. Wives tale or not I still overdose on Vitamin C when not feeling up to my grade school glory days of health.

Citrus Salmon Spinach SaladBeyond the Vitamin C, this salad is heart friendly and chock full of other goodies: omega-3 fatty acids & Vitamin D from salmon, beta carotene & Vitamin A from spinach, and heart healthy olive oil. The flavors came together quite nicely and after a meal like this, I hope my immune system will get a kick in the right direction!

Grilled Salmon and Spinach Salad with Sweet Citrus Vinaigrette
Cooking Light

Sweet Citrus Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon honey mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced

Salad:
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
2 teaspoons black pepper
Cooking spray
1 package fresh spinach
4 oranges, each peeled and cut into 6 slices

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

2. To prepare vinaigrette, combine first vinaigrette ingredients in a large bowl and stir well with a whisk.

3. Drizzle lemon juice over salmon fillets; sprinkle with black pepper. Place fillets, skin sides up, on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness. Remove skin from fillets; discard.

4. Toss spinach with vinaigrette to taste. Add spinach and oranges and serve immediately.

15 comments:

grace said...

i think eating a dish like this would trick me into believing summer isn't over. i'd love that, even if it's only for a minute. :)

kat said...

That does look very healthy. Unfortunately the common flu shot only gives you a 70% chance of not getting it.

Katie said...

I'm not one to crave fish, but now I'd like some salmon please!

I've heard that a lot of people that get the flu shot get sort of sick for the next few days. Hope you're feeling better soon!

Leslie said...

Feel better soon..I overdose on "C" as well

Mini Baker said...

feel better!! i love salmon with citrus sauce... it always brings out the flavor! (sometimes I cheat and make Costcos pre-marinated salmon, its sooo delish!)
-Mini Baker

Bunny said...

Sharon I think that's the best looking salmon I've ever seen. I think alot of people get sick after they get the shot, kinda does make you wonder doesn't it!

Emily said...

This salad is so vibrant and colorful, I'm sure it will make you feel better soon!

The Blonde Duck said...

I'm sure you'll get over the flu in no time. Feel better soon!

Dawn (HealthySDLiving) said...

Feel Better! :) This looks wonderful--I love the colors!

Kerstin said...

Aww, I hope you feel better soon! Talk about a gorgeous salad, it looks wonderful!

Sophie said...

Aw, I'm sorry you're sick! That happened to my mom too, right after the shot... boom. I can always count on you to share tasty, healthy recipes, probably why you're so healthy! :)

emiglia said...

Aww... feel better! I'm all about the old wives' tales when it comes to being sick... give me oranges and garlic as soon as I even get the sniffles!

Aggie said...

Hope you are feeling better by now..

what a beautiful salad! I'm on a salmon kick lately, this looks delicious!

Aggie said...

Hope you are feeling better by now..

what a beautiful salad! I'm on a salmon kick lately, this looks delicious!

MrOrph said...

feel better sharon!

i gotta say, hits looks SO healthy, i just want to add some bacon bits and hard-boiled egg! :-)