Ginger-Citrus Grilled Salmon and Salad with Ginger-Miso Dressing....It's About Eating Healthy! - Blogger CLUE

Have you noticed that the month of January seems to have two themes going on.  One is organization.  Every January we see multiple articles pertaining to how we can organize our lives. We also see products. Usually those are containers in varying sizes.  Some of them have little cubbies in them, some have adjustable spacers for the cubbies and some let you design your own container using various sizes of spacers...sort of like, make your own cubbies.  When we finish using all of those containers the idea is that we should have organized kitchen pantries, spice cabinets, cupboards, and know where all of our random lids, and utensils/tools are located.  Since I am one of those folks who likes to organize, January is a fun month for me!

The other theme that is evident is being healthy.  That means that not only do we drag ourselves to the gym, and make our way outside to take a brisk 30 minute walk, but we also go to the market and shop healthy and subsequently prepare healthy meals.  And, since it is the beginning of the year, the idea is to mend our ways, improve our attitudes, and care about ourselves and how we treat our mind and body, not just in January but all year long.  With that in mind it seems fitting that the theme for Blogger CLUE should be "Healthy Eating"!

Blogger CLUE is a recipe exchange group.  Each month members are assigned a blog, a theme and challenged to find a recipe that meets the theme!  How fun is that?!  I love a challenge...I love exploring new blogs....I love to cook....and, I do love to eat new things.  I was so excited to get my first blog assignment for the new year.

It is with pleasure that I share Palatable Pastime with you and the two very healthy and very tasty recipes I selected to prepare. While Sue has only been blogging since 2013, she has quite an extensive recipe index of simple and sophisticated dishes.  Each and every dish has been prepared for her family, as Sue says, "real people and real food!"

There were so many recipes to choose from.  I eyed the Greek Omelet Roll with Spinach and the Chicken Roulades with Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Tepanade  but when I hit the seafood section of her index, I knew I had hit paydirt....a place where I would find recipe after recipe that was healthy and tasty.  Asian Cuisine is one of Sue's favorites so I narrowed the field just a bit more.  When I read the post for Ginger-Citrus Grilled Salmon, there was no question in my mind...I was making my grocery list and heading off to the store and lucky for me, there was also a salad with Ginger-Miso Dressing that was calling to me.

The salmon may be prepared with the skin in tact or without. We prepare salmon on the grill frequently and prefer to use a salmon fillet with the skin in tact.

Ginger-Citrus Grilled Salmon

adapted from Palatable Pastime

1 pound salmon fillet, skin in tact
1-2 scallions, sliced

Marinade
2 Tbsp lime ponzu sauce
1 Tbsp rice wine
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp brown sugar

Whisk together the marinade ingredients and pour over the salmon fillets.  Allow the salmon to marinate for thirty minutes.  Drain the marinade and reserve it.

Place the reserved marinade in a small saucepan.  Over low heat, reduce the marinade to a syrupy consistency.  Stir constantly.  It should coat the back of a teaspoon when ready.

Place the salmon on a piece of heavy duty foil which serves as the "pan".  Grill the salmon on medium.  If there is no lid on the barbecue, tent the salmon with a piece of foil.  About half way through, if needed, drain the liquid by punching a hole or two in the foil.  The salmon is done when the thickest part of the salmon will flake.

(If your filet is skinless, then the salmon should be cooked 3-4 minutes per side, or to the level of doneness that you desire.)

Serve the salmon drizzled with the sauce reduction and garnish with sliced scallions.

NOTE:  Ponzu is a type of soy sauce with citrus flavoring, in this case, lime.  I found it in both our grocery store and an Asian Market.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

We loved the salmon!  It was so fresh and flavorful, simple and healthy!  In addition to steamed broccoli, we had a wonderful Salad with Ginger-Miso Dressing!  I recognized the dressing immediately as the one we get on the salad when we go for sushi...LOVE!

Salad with Ginger-Miso Dressing

adapted from Palatable Pastime

Salad
Iceberg lettuce
Shredded carrots
Option:  Additional ingredients that you might prefer:  chopped tomato, sliced cucumber, sliced mushrooms

In individual bowls place the lettuce.  Top with shredded carrots.

Dressing
2 Tbsp white miso
2 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
4 Tbsp rice vinegar
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1/2 tsp brown sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

In a small bowl whisk together the dressing ingredients.  Serve over the individual salads.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

These two dishes definitely belong on the rotation.  It was a super flavorful and healthy meal!  Thank you Sue for sharing!

It's January....it is time for healthy eating...just ignore the stores pushing all of that Valentine candy out onto the shelf.   Ignore the temptation and stay focused on health!

Below are more healthy recipes from other members of Blogger CLUE!

• Apricot Muffins by Azmina from Lawyer Loves Lunch
• Broccoli Stalk Feta Salad by Stacy from Food Lust People Love
• Citrus Shrimp by Lauren from Sew You Think You Can Cook
• Couscous with Chicken and Vegetables by Sue from A Palatable Pastime
• Ginger-Citrus Grilled Salmon by Kathy from A Spoonful of Thyme
• Irish Seafood Cocktail by Kate from Kate's Kitchen
• Massaged Kale Salad by Anna from annaDishes
• Mediterranean Chopped Salad by Christy from Confessions of a Culinary Diva
• Middle Eastern Vegetable Salad by Christiane from Taking on Magazines
• Orange Banana Matcha Smoothie by Kim from Liv Life
• Red Lion Inn Swordfish by Lea Ann from Cooking on the Ranch
• Roasted Carrots and Cauliflower (with a kick) by Debra from Eliot's Eats
• Sophie's Chopped Salad by Rebekah from Making Miracles
• Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing by Liz from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• White Bean Chili by Lisa from Authentic Suburban Gourmet
• Winter Salad of Roasted Beets, Avocado and Grapefruit by Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm