Serendipity.
I’m looking for interesting things to do with maple syrup and I find this recipe in my inbox.
Plus oranges are just coming into season here. (Yes, oranges have a season here.)
I’m slowly dabbling in fruit, other than lemon, with meat or fish, although it still has to be citrus.
I can see this paired with a sweet Delicata squash for a late fall / early winter dinner.
What do you think…. Interesting? Have a look:
Trying to eat healthy during the holidays? This can be difficult when all you want is something cozy like pumpkin pie or a bowl of chili. However, I find it’s easiest to merge the healthy with the cozy and create a dish that tastes appropriate for the season but won’t make you buy bigger pants.
Salmon is a great way to go when you’re looking for a healthy meal. Adding a little something extra like orange maple glaze gives it a smoky zing that’s befitting of a comfort-food dish. Now, we all know that buying salmon at the store can be a little tricky. If you go to a fishmonger, ask them to remove the pin bones, but you can always get wild seafood delivered to your door without pin bones as well.
Read on for a complete recipe on how to make Orange Maple Glazed Grilled Salmon.
Ingredients
- Salmon fillets, 4 to 6 ounces
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (preferably fresh ground)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Orange Maple Glaze
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- juice from 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your grill.
- Combine all rub ingredients in a small bowl and combine all glaze ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Dip salmon fillets in olive oil or coat them with a glazing brush until they’re covered.
- Sprinkle the dry rub on fillets.
- Lay the salmon fillets with the skin side up on your grill and sear for 3 to 4 minutes. Check that the fillets aren’t sticking to the grill before flipping. When they are no longer sticking, it’s time to flip them. Let the fillets cook skin side down for another 3 to 4 minutes with the lid closed.
- After the other side has been cooked, spread the glaze on the top of each fillet and close the lid of your grill for them to simmer. Wait 1 to 2 minutes and check the thickest part of the fillets for their internal temperature. Continue to grill salmon until the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove fillets from grill and let them sit for 10 minutes.
- Place fillet on a plate and drizzle extra maple glaze before serving.
What Does This Dish Pair Well With?
This dish is one you can pull out for any season, but I especially think it’s a nice contrast for the holidays. Salmon pairs well with wine, so if you’re serving this dish for a dinner party or a date night, this is a good tip. Pinot Noir is probably the most popular choice for salmon dishes, particularly with grilled or seared salmon. Lighter red wines such as Pinot Noir or Burgundy will go well with our maple glazed grilled salmon.
I also like to use two oranges for this dish instead of one. I use one for the maple glaze and the other for cut-up orange slices on the side. This gives our simple meal a fun flair, and you can use the slices to add extra flavor if you so desire. Although fruit is typically associated with warmer weather, the contrast between zesty orange and smoky salmon is always appreciated.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully this dish will serve you as well as it has me, and you’ll find it a little easier to eat a nutritious meal even in the middle of the all the pumpkin pies and comfort-food galore. It takes some self-control sometimes!
Enjoy this heart-healthy meal with your friends and family, but don’t worry — we’ll still delight in all the rich foods and desserts we desire as the holidays draw nearer!
