Salmon with Strawberry Salsa and Sesame Spinach

I have worked very hard over the past four and a half years to broaden my husband's palate. When we first got together he was a meat and pizza kind of guy. I introduced him to collard greens, tilapia, quinoa, and the 8th world wonder- beurre blanc. The only seafood he likes are crab legs, lobster, shrimp, and now tilapia. He is not a salmon eater. This was breaking my heart, so whenever we would go to a restaurant and I would order salmon, I'd slide a bite on his plate. He would always like it. Last night, I bit the bullet and cooked it for dinner. I figured he would prefer it on the sweeter or asian side, so I mixed the two. Served it with simple white rice and water sauteed spinach topped with sesame oil and seeds. I use sesame oil as a finishing oil-salad dressings, or a last minute topping for vegetables, I don't cook with it because I buy the dark sesame oil and it has a lower smoke point. It is the ingredient in stir fry that gives it that flavor. He approved and even told me that I was an amazing cook.

Salmon with Strawberry Salsa (serves 2)
2 6oz portions Salmon, I bought Atlantic
1t olive oil
1T soy sauce (or Bragg's)
1T honey
1t lime juice
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 clove garlic, minced

Combine all ingredients and pour over salmon. Let marinate for 30 minutes.

10 strawberries, hulled and small diced
1 jalapeno, ribs and seeds removed, minced
3T red onion, minced
1T lime juice
1t olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and Pepper to taste
*by all means, add cilantro...I hate it with the fire of a thousand suns

Add all ingredients in a bowl and set to the side.

Heat skillet over medium high heat. Add salmon and cook for 4 minutes. Turn and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until cooked medium. (10 minutes total cooking time per inch thickness of fish). Serve salsa on top of salmon.


Sesame Spinach (serves 2)
4c fresh baby spinach
2T water
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2t sesame oil
1T sesame seeds

Heat water and garlic over medium heat. Add spinach and season with salt and pepper. Cook until just wilted, turning occasionally. Drizzle with the sesame oil and add seeds. Toss to coat the spinach.