Salmon has become an extremely popular dish in recent years. People are becoming much more health-conscious, and aware of the importance of following a healthy diet. Salmon is a readily available fish that is filled with so many healthy nutrients.
I was so excited to learn how to cook salmon in a toaster oven because it is an item that often finds its way onto my table. Cooking salmon in a toaster oven is quick, clean, and easy.
Many people have this perception that salmon is a somewhat exotic dish, and seem to think that it is something that should be saved only for special occasions, or be reserved for when you have guests.
Once you know how to cook salmon in a toaster oven, you will want to make it on a regular basis. After all, who does not want to cook up dishes that are simple to prepare, scrumptious to eat, and, most importantly, healthy and nutritious?
Most people do know that salmon is very tasty, and it is a favorite on the menu in many good restaurants. But few people actually realize how simple it is to cook salmon. Later in this article, I will share the easiest and most delicious salmon recipe with you.
But not many people can claim to know all the health benefits of including a portion of salmon in your weekly eating plan. Here are a few of the most important benefits.
Omega-3 fats are an essential element in our diet. They reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer and are known to improve the condition of our skin and nails.
Excellent Source Of Protein
A certain amount of protein is necessary as part of our daily food intake, in order to ensure healthy bones and muscles, among other things. Protein also promotes healing after injury.
Rich in Vitamins Such As B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and B12
Vitamin deficiency is a major cause of ill-health in many people. The range of B vitamins provides our bodies with protection against many serious conditions.
A deficiency in some of these vitamins can cause extreme fatigue, hair loss, and inability to absorb iron.
Helps To Avoid Weight Gain
The high protein content in salmon can help to control the hormones that affect appetite, making you feel ‘full’ for longer, and preventing you from overeating.
High In Antioxidants
Antioxidants have many health benefits, including helping to keep cholesterol levels in check. This is vital for heart health and maintaining healthy arteries.
Antioxidants are known to promote the production of collagen in the skin. Collagen is a protein that basically holds our bodies together. It supports all the muscles and connective tissues.
If you are starting to worry about those wrinkles, or you are concerned about sagging skin, foods such as salmon, that are rich in collagen-producing antioxidants, should be a regular part of your diet.
Cooking salmon has never been easier. I love toying with a variety of ingredients, and I have experimented with a few different recipes and concoctions, ranging from dead simple to wildly complicated and exotic.
As with many foods, not only salmon, I have actually discovered that dead simple is often also the tastiest dish on the table, the one that always gets finished first, and everyone clamors for more.
Here is my promised favorite recipe. I have given quantities of ingredients as a guide, but you do not need to follow them precisely and measure like a scientist. I tend to let my eyes be the judge, and just throw in.
Arrange the salmon pieces on the tray, skin side down.
Squeeze the juice out of 2 lemons (reserve the last one for garnishing), and mix with the soya sauce. Brush this generously over the salmon.
Lightly drizzle honey over the salmon pieces.
Season with salt and pepper.
Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds.
Cover loosely with aluminum foil
Place in a hot oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven, and take off the foil, taking care not to burn yourself on the steam as it escapes.
Baste the fish again.
Return to the oven, uncovered, for another 15-20 minutes, or until nicely browned.
Slice a lemon into thin slices, and place two or three slices on each piece of salmon to garnish before serving.
The beauty of this recipe is that this salmon can be eaten either piping hot and straight out of the oven, or it is just as yummy when eaten cold.
If you are eating it fresh out of the oven, you can serve it with a variety of side dishes. The list is endless, and it depends on your personal preference.
If I am having guests and want to pretend to have cooked something a little more sophisticated, I serve this salmon with roasted veggies and creamy mashed potatoes. It always elicits compliments and requests for the recipe.
If I am looking for a quick and easy supper for the family, they all love this salmon with french fries. But then, of course, who does NOT love french fries?
For a Summery Sunday lunch, I serve this salmon cold, with a fresh garden salad and a chunk of freshly baked seed bread.
Advantages Of Cooking Salmon In A Toaster Oven
You may be wondering why I use a toaster oven to cook this salmon, rather than my normal oven. There are numerous advantages to using the toaster oven.
Economical – It is far more cost-efficient to use your toaster oven than it is to use your big oven. Because it is a lot smaller, it consumes a lot less energy to produce the same amount of heat.
Easy to clean – The toaster oven is quick and easy to clean. It does not require any heavy scrubbing. Simply roll up the parchment paper and discard. Wash the baking tray in hot, soapy water, or even put it in your dishwasher.
Allow the oven itself to cool slightly, and wipe down the inside with a cloth soaked in hot, soapy water. I find that if I wipe it down while it is still mildly warm, it is easier to clean than when it is completely cold.
Frees your big oven for other things- The toaster oven is great for people who love multitasking in the kitchen. If you are pressed for time (and who isn’t these days?) while your salmon is cooking in your toaster oven, your normal oven will be available for you to make something else.
This is especially helpful when entertaining. You can cook the salmon in the toaster oven, and bake a cake for dessert in the normal oven, all at the same time.
Salmon is a versatile fish that can be cooked and served in many different ways. Since I have learned how to cook salmon in a toaster oven, this has become my preferred way of preparing it.
Another great feature of this method is that you can cook other fish the same way. Cobia, triggerfish, and pompano fillets also taste great when cooked in a toaster oven.
Latif Jamani, a Calgary-based writer, combines his love for travel and culinary exploration by sharing tales from his journeys across 35 countries. His passion for cooking was fueled by culinary icons like Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey, leading him to swap university lectures for the dynamic world of the "Food Network" and its diverse techniques and styles. With an MBA from INSEAD, Latif merges his entrepreneurial insight with a flair for storytelling, often relishing moments of cooking and dining with family and friends, where each dish is a narrative and every flavor an adventure.
