Salmon with Spice Rub Recipe

 This is one of my favorite recipes to use for cooking salmon.  The main reason I love this recipe is because it doesn't require any marinading or much prep.  I cook supper nearly every day, but I am not much of a meal planner.  I never have a menu for the week (despite my best attempts) and it's not unusual for Justus to call me as he's leaving work (he has an hour commute) and the only thought I've given to the evening meal is setting out some chicken to thaw.  Especially in the summer!  Now that we have some after-school activities and the weather will cool down soon, I do have to put a little more thought into meals, but this salmon still ranks up there as a great meal to cook when I'm putting a meal together in a hurry! 

 This salmon has a delicious variety of seasonings that are mixed together and used as a rub.  If you want to add a little kick, you could even include some cayenne pepper, but since I have little ones, I keep the seasonings mild. 

The salmon is rubbed with the spice mixture...

And seared briefly in a skillet with some olive oil before putting in the oven. 

I always add some parchment paper to my baking pan before placing the salmon on it.  It saves on clean up! 

 The salmon is then placed in the oven and baked until done. 

(I always test with a fork to make sure it's cooked through.  You can tell by how easily it flakes.)

 We usually have salmon once a week and I always make a batch of brown rice as a side.  It's such a great pair and is even delicious mixed together.  An easy, healthy meal you can have on the table in less than an hour!   

Salmon with Spice Rub Recipe

Ingredients:

2 lbs salmon fillets 

2 Tbsp organic brown sugar

1 Tbsp paprika

2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves

1/2 tsp cumin

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin in a small bowl.  

Rub spice mixture on salmon fillets (the salmon I buy usually has the skin on, so I only place the spice rub on the top side of the salmon).

Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a skillet and heat over medium-high heat.  Once hot, place the salmon in the skillet and sear on each side for 1-2 minutes.  

Transfer the salmon to a baking pan or dish lined with parchment paper and place in the oven until done (the salmon will flake easily with a fork).  This will usually take about 5-10 minutes depending on the thickness of the salmon.  Enjoy immediately! 

P.S.  This particular evening I was craving poppy seed dressing to go with our salad.  I combined kale, spinach & chard greens with sliced strawberries and chopped almonds and used this easy recipe for the poppy seed dressing.  It was pretty tasty!