Healthy Balanced Meal With Salmon, Lentils, And Vegetables Recipe

Preparing the Ingredients

Start by thoroughly washing the vegetables. Cut the cucumber into thin slices and make sure the spinach and broccoli are ready to be cooked. Measure out approximately 150 grams each of salmon and cooked lentils, ensuring that the salmon is of high quality, preferably wild-caught for its higher omega-3 content.

Cooking the Salmon

Season the salmon fillets with black pepper and any other herbs or spices of your choice. You could use a mix of dried dill, garlic powder, and a touch of salt for a simple yet flavorful seasoning. Heat a pan over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil. Once hot, place the salmon skin-side down (if applicable) and cook for around 4-5 minutes on each side until the salmon is cooked through but still moist on the inside. Avoid overcooking to maintain its tender texture.

Preparing the Lentils and Vegetables

While the salmon is cooking, steam the broccoli for about 5-7 minutes until tender but still slightly crisp. This can be done in a steamer or a pot with a small amount of water. Simultaneously, warm the cooked lentils in a microwave or another pan, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper to taste. Quickly wilt the spinach in a pan with a minimal amount of water or steam it, which should take no more than a couple of minutes.

Assembling the Meal

Now it's time to assemble your meal. Start with a base layer of spinach at the bottom of the plate, followed by a serving of warm lentils. Add the steamed broccoli and cucumber slices around the sides. Finally, carefully place the cooked salmon on top of the lentils. For an extra kick of flavor, you can drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the salmon or add a squeeze of lemon juice for some freshness.