Giada's Salmon Baked in Foil & Saffron Harvest Grains: A Little Healthy Amore

This week's theme at I Heart Cooking Clubs is "That's Amore!" Showing love through food, Whether it is love for your significant other, your family, friends or even yourself, you can show no greater love than feeding someone with food that is healthy, colorful and appealing to look at, and of course--tastes great. Giada's Salmon Baked in Foil, served with her Saffron Orzo, covers all the bases.

Both dishes go together quickly and easily and the colorful combination of the orangey-pink salmon, red tomatoes and green herbs, combined with the sunny yellow saffron orzo (or in this case I used my favorite Trader Joe's Harvest Grains Blend, full of Israeli couscous, orzo, red quinoa and split garbanzo beans), is gorgeous. Served with a simple green salad it makes a healthy dinner that says I love you with great flavor and plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids, lean protein, fiber, and assorted vitamins and minerals--good for the the body and the heart. Now That's Amore! ;-)

You can find the salmon recipe at Food Network here.

Salmon Baked in Foil

Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

(Serves 4)

4 (5 ounces each) salmon fillets
2 teaspoons olive oil plus 2 tablespoons
salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tomatoes, chopped, or 1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, drained
2 chopped shallots
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Sprinkle salmon with 2 teaspoons olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir the tomatoes, shallots, 2 tablespoons of oil, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper in a medium bowl to blend.

Place a salmon fillet, oiled side down, atop a sheet of foil. Wrap the ends of the foil to form a spiral shape. Spoon the tomato mixture over the salmon. Fold the sides of the foil over the fish and tomato mixture, covering completely; seal the packets closed. Place the foil packet on a heavy large baking sheet. Repeat until all of the salmon have been individually wrapped in foil and placed on the baking sheet. Bake until the salmon is just cooked through, about 25 minutes. Using a large metal spatula, transfer the foil packets to plates and serve.

You can find the Saffron Orzo recipe at the bottom of the page here.

Saffron Orzo

Giada De Laurentiis

(Serves 6)

4 cups chicken stock

1 teaspoon saffron threads
1 pound dried orzo (or pasta or grain of choice)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (I used about 1/8 cup)
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

In a large pot, bring the chicken stock to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, bringing the stock to a simmer. Add the saffron, stir, and allow the saffron to bloom, about 5 minutes. Return the heat to medium and the stock to a boil, then add the orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain orzo and transfer to a large bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and parsley. Toss to combine.

Notes/Results: Delicious. The salmon cooked in its individual foil packets is moist, tender and well flavored with the tomato, scallions, lemon and herbs. Giada recommends opening the foil packets on individual plates at the table--which is always fun, but I think it looks so pretty served right on top of the saffron grains that I unwrapped it and put it on the plate. Just be sure to pour all the juices on top so you don't waste the flavor. The Harvest Grains Blend cooked up perfectly with the chicken stock and saffron. The lemon and olive oil (BTW: I reduced the amount of oil in mine), add nice flavor, making this a great side dish for fish or chicken. I really liked both of these dishes and would happily make both again.

You can check out how the other IHCC participants are showing their amore by going to the post here and following the links.

These healthy, tasty dishes are going to Roz's Fresh & Pure Friday event at la bella vita, where you will see some wonderful food and great ideas. Stop by and check it out.

Happy Weekend!