Click here to Pin this easy Roasted Asparagus recipe!

You know it’s spring when you see bunches of asparagus popping up everywhere at the grocery store. After a long season of winter squashes and sweet potatoes (with all due respect), it’s one of my favorite sights to see in the produce section. I always associate asparagus as an Easter side dish, and rightfully so since growing up that was the one vegetable I always made sure was being served for Easter lunch. I don’t really remember it being an everyday veggie for our family, but instead one I looked forward to for our holiday meal.

Nowadays asparagus is everywhere. I like to make it like this, simply roasted in the oven with a little olive oil, coarse salt and fresh ground pepper. It’s also delicious sprinkled with a breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture right at the end of it’s cook time. (more…)

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If there is one thing I’m learning it’s that I will always thank myself on Tuesday night for cooking up a batch of brown rice Sunday. Food prep like cooking grains, baked potatoes and even shredded chicken in the slow cooker ALWAYS saves me during the school week.

When I find myself unsure of what I want to make for dinner (not to mention, short on time), it’s always incredibly helpful to have a few staples already cooked up and waiting in the fridge. Brown rice is one of those staples and helps to make this super quick and easy Vegetable Fried Brown Rice possible even on the busiest of nights.

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Another great Ellie Krieger recipe! This salmon recipe comes from one of my favorite healthy cookbooks, The Food You Crave by Ellie Krieger. I highly recommend it to anyone who is new to cooking salmon or trying to introduce new salmon recipes to their family. This healthy salmon recipe is always a winner and has been my go-to recipe for years.

I’m a huge fan of sweet and spicy flavors…though I wouldn’t consider the flavor in this dish spicy. It has great chili flavor but there isn’t any heat, so don’t let the term “spicy” mislead you. It’s the perfect amount of seasoning.

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When it comes to finding healthy fresh fish to use in recipes, you have a lot of choices. The Monterey Bay Aquarium compiled a comprehensive list of the healthiest fish choices that is a great guide to take with you to the grocery store. Almost all white fish fillets are considered healthier, primarily due to their low calorie count. Of course, how you prepare the fish has a strong bearing on its overall healthiness. For example, there isn’t any type of fish that will remain healthy after it has been battered, breaded, and deep fried. Deep fried fish and other deep fried foods are great for an occasional indulgence, but not something to be eaten every day.

You may already know that according to the American Heart Association, one of the keys to a nutritious diet includes eating fish twice a week. Fish are a lean, healthy source of protein. Oily fish and seafood, such as salmon, tuna, oysters, are also healthy sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats are essential for our brain and heart.

Unfortunately, our bodies can’t make Omega fats, so we rely on the health benefits of salmon and other oily seafood to provide them to us.

The greatest news is, these simple salmon recipes aren’t just healthy, they’re easy to make and delicious, too!

Our favorite fresh salmon recipes:

Grapefruit-Pistachio Crusted Salmon

The citrus flavor shines in this grapefruit-pistachio crusted salmon. Fresh grapefruit juice and crunchy pistachios add even more health benefits to this easy salmon recipe.

Salmon with Sweet Spicy Rub

Salmon with sweet spicy rub is an easy, healthy broiled salmon that is packed with flavor! This simple salmon recipe is the perfect way to introduce salmon to your family! 

Old Bay Salmon Cakes

This classic and easy recipe for Old Bay salmon cakes comes together in minutes. Serve these salmon cakes with lemon and a green salad for a light dinner.

Salmon and Veggie Stir Fry

This delicious salmon and veggie stir fry was on the menu during my 17 day diet. The crispy vegetables and flavorful salmon rock my world! Enjoy an easy dinner in 12 minutes!

There are some great ways to add flavor to salmon, without adding calories or unhealthy fats.

Citrus fruits, blackening, spice rubs, and the use of natural sweeteners (like honey) are all features found in these easy salmon recipes!

Almond Crusted Honey Mandarin Salmon

I think this almond crusted honey mandarin salmon is one of the most delicious easy salmon recipes you can make. Sweet, flaky salmon with a crunchy almond crust. You won’t have leftovers of this healthy meal!

Smoked Salmon Scrambled Eggs

Get your breakfast or weekend brunch off on a healthy and delicious note by adding freshly smoked salmon to your scrambled eggs! Smoked salmon scrambled eggs is a decadent breakfast, made in just a few minutes.

Simple Salmon Salad

This simple salmon salad is a healthy and easy salmon recipe that’s a great twist to ordinary tuna salad. Works well using canned salmon or leftover salmon.

Smoked Salmon Frittata

This smoked salmon frittata recipe is inspired by a smoked salmon quiche I enjoyed while on a cruise. It’s healthier and lighter than quiche, but equally delicious!

Broiled Chipotle Salmon

Chipotle salmon is a healthy salmon recipe with big, bold flavors. Chipotle chiles and warm spices of cinnamon, allspice, and cumin give this salmon recipe extra health benefits.

Salmon Spinach Bake

Salmon spinach bake is a healthy baked salmon dinner that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This basic salmon recipe has a creamy Parmesan sauce that is beyond delicious! 

Cajun Baked Salmon Cakes

Baked salmon cakes are healthier than pan fried salmon cakes, and the Cajun flavors in this healthy salmon recipe won’t have you missing the oil at all.

Key West Grilled Salmon

Grilled salmon is a quick, flavorful, healthy dinner. This Key West grilled salmon recipe uses citrus and spices to amp up the flavor! This is one of my favorite easy salmon recipes!

Salmon Quinoa Cakes

Salmon quinoa cakes are quick and easy to make and packed with health benefits of salmon and quinoa. They are great to make for dinner or a make ahead meal for lunches or snacks. Easy salmon recipes don’t get better than the ones that allow you to create a delicious dinner in less than 20 minutes!

Creamy Salmon Pasta Salad

Creamy salmon pasta salad is a quick and easy salmon recipe, perfect for serving as a healthy main dish or side dish. Fresh salmon provides protein and healthy omega 3 fatty acids while reduced fat sour cream keeps this creamy salmon pasta salad lower in fat and calories. 

Chipotle Salmon Tacos

Chipotle salmon tacos will transform taco Tuesday! Broiled chipotle salmon, onion, cilantro, and cojita cheese wrapped into corn tortillas makes a healthy, easy, and delicious salmon dinner.

Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon with Tropical Fruit Salsa

Using wood planks to grill salmon gives them an incredible flavor and keeps the recipes healthy, too. The tropical fruit salsa on this cedar plank grilled salmon is beyond delicious, too!

Orange Glazed Salmon with Stir Fried Veggies

When it comes to easy salmon recipes, this orange glazed salmon ranks right up on the top. This flavorful stir fry comes together in about 15 minutes!

Blackened Salmon Fajita Bowls

Blackened salmon fajita bowls cook on the grill quickly and easily. This flavorful healthy grilling recipe is perfect for making a quick dinner in the summer. It’s one of my favorite easy salmon recipes!

Healthy Broiled Salmon Gyros

Broiled salmon gyros are a healthy twist on traditional lamb or chicken gyros, using broiled salmon, fresh veggies and Greek yogurt dip tzatziki sauce.

Blackened Salmon with Citrus Salsa

Blackened Salmon with Citrus Salsa is the perfect balance between spicy and sweet. Simple to prepare, this makes a fresh, light dinner, perfect for weeknights! Definitely one of my favorite easy salmon recipes!

Blackened Salmon Salad

Blackened salmon salad is a delicious twist from ordinary tuna salad. This easy salmon recipe makes a great addition to a tossed salad, or add to pita or whole grain bread to make a healthy lunch box sandwich.

Now that you know the health benefits of salmon and you have plenty of easy salmon recipes to make, the only thing left to do is to decide which you’ll make first!

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Since the new year began, I have been really making an effort to cook more healthy meals at home to avoid eating out. Sometimes that is easier said than done. With trying to cook more at home, I am also trying to add some variety to our meals – as much as we love them, we have been getting a little bored of our go-to dinners.

This Orange Walnut Crusted Salmon was pretty effortless and the entire meal was ready in just under 30 minutes. It’s a light, high in protein, low in carb meal and with all the omega-3s in the salmon and walnuts, it’s heart healthy too. It’s pretty much a winner all around in my book.

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A while back, I had a conversation with a friend about pesto – she had never really used it in her cooking and asked me “what do you do with it??”. I love conversations like this because it makes me remember how much I love exchanging ideas with others when it comes to cooking and food. What may be old news to someone may be completely new to someone else.

I’ve been making and cooking with pesto for years but it wasn’t something I grew up with – even in my Italian family. I started making it when I started cooking as an adult (thank you Giada) and I typically only make it when I have big pots of basil growing on my patio. As much as I wish I could make fresh pesto all the time, reality is, buying a jar of my favorite pesto from Costco happens more often than homemade. When I discovered this pesto (I’m usually hesitant to buy jarred sauces but the ingredient list is pretty straight forward on this one), it became a regular purchase for me when I shop at Costco. It’s one of my favorite convenience items that you can almost always count on finding in my fridge.

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If you are following a keto diet, this is a great keto salmon recipe to try, it is naturally low carb and high in good fat!

I’m slowly easing back into post-holiday life now that my kids are back in school. I hit the gym for a good hour-long cardio session this morning and am determined to drink a gazillion ounces of water today. I didn’t gain a million pounds over the holidays like I thought I would, but I did hit a level of feeling sluggish that I am not comfortable with, and I can attribute that to less sleep, less exercise and more of everything else if you know what I mean.

Like this salmon salad recipe? Pin It Here!

Instead of tuna salad for lunch this week, I put together this healthy salad with leftover cooked salmon and a few simple ingredients I had in the fridge. I have been obsessed with salmon salad ever since I had it in Oregon a couple of months ago – it was one of the best salmon salad recipes I’ve ever tasted.

This salad is so delicious and a nice change from your average tuna sandwich. It’s a great low carb recipe filled with protein and healthy fats too.

I like to cook up extra salmon whenever I am making it for dinner so I can use the leftovers on salad, or in a salmon salad like this one. Cooking salmon is easy and takes no time at all. You can bake your salmon or broil it, I typically broil it when I just use a rub (like this salmon with sweet and spicy rub I make often).

How to cook salmon:

1. Preheat your broiler.
2. Place salmon filets on lightly greased aluminum foil lined broiler pan or baking sheet. Pat salmon filets dry with a paper towel, then sprinkle liberally with your favorite lemon pepper seasoning, salt and pepper. Drizzle a little olive oil over each salmon filet. Place under broiler and cook for 8-10 minutes or until salmon is turns lighter pink and flakes with a fork (cooking time for fish always depends on how thick your fish is). Set aside.

What do you put in salmon salad?

• 1/2 lb cooked salmon, flaked
• 1 heaping teaspoon light mayo (more if you like mayo)
• squeeze of lemon
• big pinch of salt and pepper (or lemon pepper if you prefer)
• 1 celery stalk, chopped small
• 1 tablespoon green onion, chopped

So good!

What else can you make with leftover cooked salmon besides salmon salad?

Try these Cajun Baked Salmon Cakes,  Salmon & Avocado Stuffed Lettuce Wraps or this Farfalle with Salmon, Lemon and Peas.

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Salmon Salad Recipe

• Author: Aggies Kitchen
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings
• Category: Fish

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This Salmon Salad is a nice change from your everyday tuna. Bake up extra salmon at dinnertime & use up the leftovers to create this protein packed salad!

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Ingredients

• 1/2 lb cooked salmon, flaked
• 1 heaping teaspoon mayonnaise
• squeeze of lemon
• big pinch of salt and pepper (or lemon pepper if you prefer)
• 1 celery stalk, chopped small
• 1 tablespoon green onion, chopped

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Instructions

1. Add your leftover flaked salmon to a bowl. Season well with salt, pepper (or lemon pepper), mayo and a splash of fresh squeezed lemon. Add chopped celery and green onion and combine well.
2. Serve on whole grain bread or pita or over salad with crackers. Or just eat it on its own.

Love salmon? Check out my other salmon recipes:

Broiled Salmon with Sweet and Spicy Rub

Salmon and Veggie Stir Fry

Blackened Salmon with Citrus Salsa

Almond Crusted Honey Mandarin Salmon

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Pin this Honey Roasted Parsnips and Carrots recipe!

I originally posted this recipe in October of 2015. I have been craving roasted veggies so much lately and was eying parsnips at the store yesterday so I remembered how much we loved them prepared this way.

It’s my favorite time of the year – fall! So much to love about fall, but for me I really do love the shift in what we are eating. Summer food is fresh and fun, but fall brings in so many warm flavors to experiment with – wouldn’t you agree?

I’m really trying to change things up at home lately and introduce some new foods to my family. Carrots are obviously not new, but parsnips are! I’ve made them for myself before and loved their unique taste, and I couldn’t wait to try them again and try some new parsnip recipes on them.

To help my family (specifically my kids) be more open to trying a new veggie, I thought it would be helpful to pair them up with a vegetable they are very familiar with and already love – carrots. We eat roasted carrots almost weekly so it was nice to change it up just slightly with these Honey Roasted Parsnips and Carrots recipe.

Like this parsnip recipe? Pin it here!

I sliced up the carrots and parsnips into “sticks” so they were more like a finger food. You can do this easily by cutting any long vegetable at an angle, then cutting again longways. As soon as they came out of the oven my kids gravitated toward them, first saying how good they smelled, then asking to try them. I could not keep them from eating them right off the baking sheet!

That’s always a good sign.

Don’t forget to sprinkle them with plenty of kosher or sea salt. It’s all good, trust me!

If you have any favorite roasted parsnip recipes, please share them with me, I would love to try more.

These roasted parsnips and carrots would be absolutely delicious served with Mini Honey Mustard Meatloaves or Cajun Baked Salmon Cakes. If you are craving more fall veggies check out these Maple Balsamic Roasted Vegetables, Fall Panzanella, or this Farmhouse Shepherd’s Pie with Fall Vegetables.

For those that don’t know, I contribute monthly to Produce For Kids blog. I love this organization! This Honey Roasted Parsnips and Carrots recipe was inspired while writing my latest article for them, a roundup of Roasted Root Vegetables for Fall – check it out for more ideas and links to recipes for autumn root veggies.

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Honey Roasted Parsnips and Carrots

• Author: Aggie Goodman

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Ingredients

• 4 parsnips, peeled, cut diagonally then into strips
• 4 carrots, peeled, cut diagonally then into strips
• 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• coarse salt and fresh ground pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine oil and honey at the bottom of a large bowl. Add carrots and parsnips to bowl and gently toss until all your vegetables are coated in oil and honey mixture.
2. Place vegetables onto a large baking sheet. Sprinkle liberally with coarse salt and fresh ground pepper.
3. Bake for 15 minutes. Take baking sheet out and using a spatula carefully flip over carrots and parsnips. Bake for another 5-7 minutes until veggies are nicely and evenly browned. Season to taste with additional coarse salt and pepper.

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Last weekend I flew to Narragansett, Rhode Island to run in the Ocean Road 10k as a part of the Cabot Fit Team with my friends at Cabot Creamery Co-operative. Leaving the Florida heat for a few days to experience true fall New England weather was such a treat that I am seriously considering making this race a yearly tradition. The race course was absolutely gorgeous!

(Disclosure: My trip and race entry were sponsored by Cabot, but my opinions are my own.)

What is The Cabot Fit Team?

You are most likely already familiar with the farmhouse logo found in your grocery store’s cheese cooler, but (like me) you may not have realized that Cabot is not just a cheese company but an extensive community of farm families (1,100 to be exact) that own and operate the business together to produce not just delicious cheddar cheese, but Greek-style yogurts, butter, cottage cheese and sour cream. I was impressed to learn that Cabot is very involved and committed with connecting with their communities – one way they do that is with their Cabot Fit Team. The Cabot Fit Team’s mission is to increase awareness of the importance of wellness through nutrition and exercise. I think if you know me, you know that I was absolutely honored and thrilled to be a part of this experience and mission!

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Last week was our first full week back to school and to be honest, it kind of kicked my butt a bit. I had no plans for dinner and was at the grocery store way too many times. It felt annoying and unnecessarily stressful and after a little mom meltdown over the weekend, I decided I needed to get it together this week and write out a meal plan BEFORE I grocery shop.

The hardest part for me is figuring out what dinners will work on what nights of the week based on what our evening activities are. I have 2 children in sports so we are at practices about 4 evenings a week between the two of them, plus I have a 3 year old who needs to be on somewhat of an evening dinner/bedtime routine. So let’s face it, I don’t have time to cook dinner leisurely like I did when my kids were little with no place to be. I plan to cook a little extra on the nights I have more time to help out on the nights we are not home at dinner time and need some leftovers or sandwiches. In order to save my sanity, trips to the store and a lot of money this has to become more of a priority for me and I hope to hold myself accountable – and possibly help out a mom or two – by posting my meal plan and whatever prep I do here.

Here’s week 1! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.

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