Photo courtesy of Body+Soul, March 2008

Welcome to 30 Days on a Mediterranean Diet, our new blog series! It’s no secret that eating the Mediterranean way helps with heart health and weight loss. But fast-paced modern living makes it hard to stick to any diet, which is why each 30 Days on a Mediterranean Diet post will feature a healthy Mediterranean recipe.

Salmon has an incredible amount of nutrients, like selenium, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins D, B12 and B6*. But if you don’t change it up, salmon can become a little routine – especially if you’re on the Mediterranean diet and are eating a lot of it.

If you’re bored of salmon, this recipe will change all that. Simply give it a curry rubdown, add a bright slaw, whip up a satisfying brown rice side, and ta-da! An exciting, easy-to-prepare recipe that not only tastes good, but is good for you.

Curry-Rubbed Salmon with Napa Slaw
From Martha Stewart
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

1 cup brown basmati rice
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound Napa cabbage (1/2 head), thinly sliced crosswise
1 pound carrots, coarsely grated
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil (note: substitute with olive oil for healthier option)
4 salmon filets (6 ounces each)
2 teaspoons curry powder

Prep & Cook

  1. In a large saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil; add rice. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until tender, 30 to 35 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, mint, lime juice, and oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss.
  3. Heat broiler with rack set 4 inches from heat. About 10 minutes before rice is done cooking, place salmon on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Rub salmon with curry, and season with salt and pepper. Broil until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork and serve alongside salad and salmon.

*The World’s Healthiest Foods – Salmon. Whfoods.