5 Speedy Salmon Recipes That Answer the Call for Dinner

Whole Wheat Spaghetti With Lemon, Basil and Salmon

whole-wheat-spaghetti-with-lemon-basil-salmon

Whole Wheat Spaghetti With Lemon, Basil and Salmon

Photo by: Marshall Troy ©2012, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Marshall Troy, 2012, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

While chicken breasts may get most of the praise in the quick-fix dinner department, salmon shouldn’t be forgotten. In fact, this speedy seafood may even give its meaty counterpart a run for its money as far as the clock is concerned. When portioned into individual fillets, salmon takes mere minutes to cook, and it pairs well with a variety of flavors and ingredients — think savory glazes, sweet sauces and spicy spice rubs.

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Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Since it’s a hearty fish, salmon stands up well to high-heat cooking methods like grilling, though the key to turning out moist, tender results is to not overcook the fish, no matter if you’re preparing on the grill, on the stovetop or in the oven. Read on below to check out six of Food Network’s best-ever speedy salmon dinners, each ready to eat in 35 minutes or less.

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Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

A single recipe that delivers a complete, well-rounded meal — healthfully and in a hurry? Yes, it’s possible, and Giada De Laurentiis has the answer. In just 20 quick minutes she tops a bed of vitamin-rich spinach with a scoop of lemony pasta with capers and finishes with pan-seared salmon for a satisfying dose of protein.

If you don’t have an outdoor grill or you simply prefer to cook indoors tonight, you’re in luck, because this top-rated recipe can come together in a stovetop grill pan too. Once the fish has had a head start on cooking, begin brushing it with a tangy mixture of hot sauce and brown sugar for lacquered results; any earlier and the sugars may burn from the heat. To round out the meal, serve each fillet with a crunchy celery-chive slaw.

It takes just five ingredients to create this good-for-you supper featuring a flavor-packed topping of mayonnaise, Dijon and a squeeze of maple syrup for subtle sweetness. “This is super easy,” the chefs in Food Network Kitchen say, “but you can even prep the salmon ahead, coating it with the mix, and just pop it in the oven when ready to eat.”

Much like blackened chicken, blackened salmon features a spicy rub of bold spices and herbs. Here Alex Guarnaschelli opts for both paprika and cayenne for smoky heat, plus fresh thyme and oregano for a fragrant finish. Just before serving, she finishes the fish with lemon zest and juice to brighten up the meal.

Classic grilled salmon gets a hefty boost of flavor in the form of Giada’s no-cook orange salsa verde. To balance the sweetness of the fruit, she adds a few spoonfuls of briny capers, plus red pepper flakes and scallions for a fresh, healthy plate.

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