Well I told you I would have some yummy recipes for you using this spectacular Spiced Maple Vinaigrette, and I’m finally following through with posting one.
I feel like I haven’t blogged in years! Life has been so busy recently. Between traveling, having my Ben’s parents visit, more traveling, having my mom visit, and more traveling…I can’t get anything done! Family visits are totally worth it though. Seriously, there is nothing better than some good quality family time.
Ben and I don’t get as much time as we would like to spend with family. We don’t have any relatives, besides my second cousin, who lives in Arizona. Sometimes it’s hard watching friends go to their families’ on weekends for dinner, having their parents’ babysit while they go on date night, and seeing my girlfriends meet their moms for lunch when they just need a good pick me up. Don’t get me wrong, we love Arizona! But yes, we do miss out on seeing our family often.
It has been a nice week hanging out with my mom. We just spend two solid days with one another driving to Utah. Yep, pretty much we turned an 11 hour road trip into a full two day driving extravaganza, stopping at every major city to let the kids play and taking an overnight break in St. George to spend time with grandparents. It was quite the trek! But boy, oh boy, my mom was a trooper. Anytime the kiddos needed something, she was turned around getting it, whether it was a snotty nose, a bag full of pretzels, a disc change on the DVD player…you name it.
Basically, she was a life saver.
So without further ado, I’d like to dedicate this recipe post to my superhero mother, not because she is fishy, flaky, or has scales…that I know of…but because salmon is my mom’s all time favorite dish. Whenever we go out to eat, salmon is the first thing she looks for. I would probably be a fish hater if it wasn’t for my mother. She has taught me how to cook fish perfectly so it flakes at the touch of a fork, never dry and tough. It’s because of my mom that I’ve converted many fish haters to fish lovers, or at least fish toleraters.
This Maple Glazed Pan Seared Salmon is no exception. It has the most delicious subtle maple flavor, and because it’s pan seared, it develops this crisp and slightly sweet crust that is to die for. This salmon is lovely by itself or on top of a salad with some extra Spiced Maple Vinaigrette drizzled on top. Mmm mmm! My mouth is watering, and it’s only breakfast. Who thinks about fish at breakfast?!
Not only is this salmon delicious, but it is so quick and easy. One pan, 10 minutes, you’re done. A gourmet meal quicker than you can butter some toast.
Hope you enjoy! Oh, and as you eat…think of your mothers.
What favorite food reminds you of your mom?
- 1 recipe Spiced Maple Vinaigrette
- 1-1½ pound salmon filet*
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil, butter, or cooking oil
- salt and pepper
- Prepare Spiced Maple Vinaigrette. Place salmon in a gallon sized Ziploc bag and pour ⅓ cup dressing in bag. Seal and let marinate in fridge for at least 30 minutes. Take salmon out of fridge 10 minutes before cooking to let sit.
- Heat medium sized saucepan over medium high heat on stove. Add avocado oil, butter, or cooking oil to pan. Allow to heat for 30 seconds.
- Salt and pepper both sides of salmon and place in pan. Pour remaining marinade from Ziploc over salmon. Allow first side to cook for 5 minutes, shaking pan halfway through to avoid sticking.
- Using a spatula, flip salmon to other side and allow to cook for 4-5 more minutes, shaking pan or slightly moving salmon with spatula after 3 minutes to avoid sticking.
- Remove from heat once salmon flakes with a fork and is slightly pink in the center. Let sit for 5 minutes and serve warm with extra vinaigrette for drizzling.
