The more I cook, and the busier life gets, I find more and more value in the quick & delicious things in life. If and when time allows, I love to spend time on a special meal, or even to spend all day making a mess out of my kitchen, whipping up one creations after another. But the reality is, those times are far and few between.
And I know many of you feel the same.
We want food to be 1) delicious, 2) quick, and 3) healthy. I am typically willing to compromise a bit on the “quick” factor to increase the healthfulness of a dish, but there’s no need to compromise here. You truly have the best of all 3 worlds.
You’re welcome in advance! 
Salmon with Red Pepper Pesto from Cooking Light
4 (6-ounce) fresh or frozen salmon fillets
3/4 tsp kosher salt, divided
Cooking spray
1/3 cup bottled roasted red bell peppers, rinsed, drained, and chopped
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
7 whole blanched almonds or walnuts
1 garlic clove
Directions:
Heat grill pan over medium-high heat. Sprinkle fish evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Coat pan with cooking spray. Arrange fish in pan; cook for 4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness.
While the fish cooks, combine remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, bell peppers, tomato paste, olive oil, nuts, and garlic. Yield: 4 servings.
Nutrition Information (per serving): 309 calories; 14.8 g. fat; 107 mg. cholesterol; 506 mg. sodium; 2.4 g. carbohydrate; 0.6 g. fiber; 39.3 g. protein
Result: The red pepper pesto is a brilliant idea and I could see it going well on nearly any protein. If salmon isn’t your thing, try another fish or seafood, chicken, or even pork or beef. Very versatile flavors and consistency. Enjoy!
I almost talked myself out of a run last night. Mondays and Wednesdays are typically my rest days because of jam-packed days of work and then teaching. Seeing as yesterday was Columbus Day I was very tempted to kick back after dinner and walking Lily, but I headed out for a run. Despite the sun being long gone, the weather was absolutely perfect and I plowed through 3.01 miles in 28:52!! That’s SPEEDY for me! Just imagine how quick I could’ve been had I not had that small glass of wine with dinner before my run…
I’m making one of Mr. Prevention’s favorite meals tonight: Biggest Loser “Fried” Chicken. He’s always complaining that I never make anything twice, and that is certainly not the case with this dish. While I don’t make it “often”, it’s a repeat in our house that both of us happily agree on!
And just because…Lily.
Question: What’s one meal you love to have on repeat in your house?
Be well,
Mmmmm…
Believe it or not, now I have a salmon craving! First I’ll have to make that pesto – ooh la la!
I have several meals on repeat. As a girl cooking for myself, I shall continue to do so because there really isn’t anyone to complain… :p Breakfast burritos seem to have taken over both my breakfast and my dinner- depending on how I’m feeling. It’s just so quick and easy!
Oh I love this dish! Yes, thank you, it’s simple AND healthy, with few ingredients. I love it. And now that I’ve discovered the joy of garlic oil (which I can eat) Nick and I are now tasting garlic in our food again! It’s pretty amazing.
I agree with you completely! This dish looks amazing.
I buy tofu almost every week just because it’s so versatile. It usually goes in a stir fry or some sort.
This sounds amazing girl! Yum!
Beautiful dish! I love salmon and this might be my next way to cook it. I’m like you – my husband often comments that we don’t make anything twice – but veggie tacos are often a go to in our house if we are running low.
You know what’s so weird? I made this last night and so did Sarah from theshubox.com. I guess the three of us think alike.
I can’t wait to try this!
I love the sound of that red pepper pesto. I dont like actual red peppers, but I like any kind of red pepper dip/sauce, is that weird?
Haha, yes…but I expect nothing less from you, Leah
Holy speed demon! That was one fast run, girl!!!
Yummy salmon! Makes me think of summer… I want it back
Thanks, Marisa!
I’m so glad to know this recipe is good! I’ve been eyeing it in the Cooking Light Magazine since I got it in the mail a couple of weeks ago.
My repeat meal is usually salmon with roasted vegetables, so I’m glad to be able to change it up a little with the red pepper pesto.
I love how you rate your recipes and give the results!!
Thanks, Meme! I’m easy to please, so it seems everything gets a good rating…but I try to gear people towards what we really, really loved or what I liked/didn’t like about a dish! Thanks for your comment
Off to check out your blog 
Hmmm! I’m making a basil pesto salmon today… but will have to try this version soon!!