Apricot Siracha Salmon

Spicy and sweet are always awesome. 

Always.

Thus why when I was in college I had no problems with lots of horridly bad for you Chinese food (I'm so sorry, my poor little arteries). 

Well, time to make up for those years of horrible eating :) Thats one of the reasons why I lovelovelove salmon ... great protein source and packed full of omega 3's. I am a fan of incorporating healthy sources of fat into my diet. Fat shouldn't be a no-no! A well rounded diet that uses a large source of plant based fats or, in this case, fish, is great for your skin, hair, joints and heart.

This is a super quick meal, and with a salad or healthy grain side (I used couscous tonight),  it is very filling and very nutritious. It took me about 20 minutes start to finish ... very do-able even after a 13 hour work day. Its hard to muster up the willpower after a long, busy day running around a crazy ER. Some nights after work, all I want to do is eat curly fries from Jack in the Box and be comatose on my couch. Yet, knowing that in the long run that I'm helping my health, makes its more than worth it.

Ingredients

2 servings

-2 4-6 oz salmon filets

-1/3 cup Trader Joe's Apricot Preserves (Organic Reduced Sugar)

-1 tsp Siracha (give or take depending on how spicy you like stuff)

-4 minced garlic cloves

-1 tsp reduced sodium soy sauce

-1/4 tsp sesame oil

-1 tsp EVOO

-splash of lime juice

-red pepper flakes

-sesame seeds

1. In a bowl, mix the preserves, Siracha, garlic, soy sauce, lime, sesame oil & EVOO. If you can, try the preserves at room temperature. Mine was cold and it took more time to blend all the ingredients. Heat your oven to "High" broil. This would also be fantastic on the grill, if you can.

2. Coat both sides of your salmon with your marinade, allow to sit for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle the tops with red pepper flakes to taste and sesame seeds (just a pinch of each should do)

3. Coat a cookie pan with aluminum foil (to protect from the sugars that will inevitably be broiled onto there). Spray the foil wrapped pan with non stick cooking spray or Misto 

(Have I mentioned how amazing this thing is??)

(i <3 you, Misto)

4. On the 3rd rack down, place your salmon in to cook for approx 6-8 min depending on how thick your filets are.

5. For the last 2-3 min, switch the pan to the 2nd highest rack and allow the broiler to caramelize the preserves mixture. Remove when the top begins to brown.

6. Serve with your side of choice! Enjoy :)

Nutritional Information

Calories: 344

Fat: 13

Saturated: 2.5

Polyunsaturated: 0.2

Monounsaturated: 1.8

Trans: 0

Cholesterol: 70

Sodium: 165.8

Carbs: 26.2

Fiber: 0.1

Sugars:25.2

Protein: 24.2