Lemon Salmon with Sautéed Spinach and Cannelloni Beans

1/23/2018

I have something wholesome and light for you all today. This dish is just packed full of goodness that will make you feel justified in indulging in that carrot cake! That's how it works right? This quick and healthy salmon dish with cannelloni beans and fresh spinach just screams wellness from the inside out. Take a look below and see how easy it is to put together!

So last night while I was waiting for bedtime (also know as 9:00 pm!), I was scrolling Instagram. Which, by the way has become my new favourite pass time. Well, apart from beach walking with my favourite pooch. But my new sofa sitting activity is watching Instagram. Yes, watching. I know I have mentioned this before, but I really like it. I only look at food related stuff and don't seem to stray any further. But generally every evening I take about 15 minutes to look through the day's feed and see if there are any interesting stories on the horizon to amuse me before I drift off for the night.

Okay, so recently I discovered this food blogger called The Tipsy Housewife. Based on the name alone, I just had to look. I mean, she sounds fun!

Just for a quick second, I would like to say that my blog name is not what I wanted to call it at all. I had planned on Julia's Kitchen, which suited me and my cooking style much more. Plus I spend almost my entire life in my kitchen. So I selected my account and paid my money. Just like that I had a blog name that I thought was Julia's Kitchen. Wrong. I was then notified that that name had been taken. Long story short, it was taken...by ME!!! Through way too much confusion and frustration, I then had to settle on another name. To this day, if you search for juliaskitchen.com you will come up empty handed. So Julia's Cuisine it became I had just had to settle. Life.

Okay, so back to Tipsy. Anyway, she makes regular Instagram posts and story posts as well. She not only posts about what she cooks for her blog but what she eats when she is out. It always manages to make me hungry and want whatever I see. So, I look forward to her daily posts. Last night I saw a post about a challenge called Beans, Greens and Lean Proteins. Hmmm, it had a bit of a ring to it, so I looked a little further.

Turns out, it's a virtual challenge to make a dish using 10 ingredients or less containing beans, greens and lean proteins. I like it!

You see, stumbling into January this year, I have realized that although I think I eat pretty well I'm not so sure the health experts would agree. I try my best and then I see the cheese, cream and butter and all is forgotten. Probably my three favourite ingredients...EVER. So, I decided to make some small changes and making sure I eat more greens and the good stuff. Trying to limit the cheese, cream and butter to the weekends. So far, three weeks in, it's going pretty well. Okay, not a 100% success but hey who's perfect.

So the virtual challenge sounded great for me right about now. By the way, there will be lots more cream, cheese and butter coming to the blog! Just having a mini break for January.

I drifted off to dreamland with visions of beans, greens and lean proteins.

This morning I woke up at 6:00 am sharp, supercharged and ready to make something with my three ingredients. But what? Well, the best place I find inspiration is the supermarket. And lucky for me, today was grocery day. So off I went, challenge in hand.

Within about 10 minutes of walking around the store, I had a pretty clear idea of what I was making . I saw the the salmon first and that cooks fast. Oh, did I mention, I wanted it to be quick. That wasn't in the challenge, just my challenge..ha! After spying the salmon, spinach seemed to follow suit and then next to the lentils I spied the cannelloni beans. Done!

Not long after I was at home and making dinner at 11 am! Yes, that is just how it rolls sometimes. Mind you, I already ate this for lunch. Looks like, I'll be getting it for dinner again tonight.

Finally, lets talk about the dish.

Well, it basically took a half an hour from start to finish. I call that a quick meal. And you know what? It honestly, tasted great. It really did! I will be making it again for sure.

I managed to keep it under 10 ingredients simple. Okay, cooking oil, salt and pepper was not included. The instructions said so..ha! This dish had the salmon, spinach, cannelloni beans, red onion, coriander, lemon zest and juice, garlic and fresh cilantro. I make that nine, so a success.

I first turned on my oven and got the salmon in a baking dish. I sprinkled over some salt and pepper and crushed garlic. Then I added the lemon zest and juice. I put that in the oven and baked it for exactly 20 minutes.

While the salmon was baking, I got the spinach and beans ready. That literally took 10 minutes from start to finish. This dish was so easy.

I served the salmon straight over with spinach and beans. I then did and extra sprinkle of lemon zest and juice. It was delicious and healthy.

If you head on over to Instagram and use the #beansgreensprotiens you will be able to find all the other dishes people are making for this healthy challenge. Mine will be on there as well in a jiffy. And if you haven't found me on Instagram yet, it's julias_cuisine. I know, it still isn't linked to the blog because I am a dork and can't figure it out.

Stay tuned for the cream, cheese and butter!

Lemon Salmon with Sautéed Spinach and Cannelloni Beans

Serves 4 / Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

4 Salmon fillets
6 oz/150 grams fresh spinach
1 Cup/150 grams cooked cannelloni beans
1 Red onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
Juice and zest of two lemons
1 Tablespoon of coriander
Small bunch of fresh cilantro
1 Tablespoon olive oil
6 garlic cloves, crushed
Salt
Pepper

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Put the salmon in a baking dish. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle over 1/2 of the garlic, and zest and juice of one lemon. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through.

While the salmon is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium to high heat. Add the olive oil and remaining garlic. Stir for a minute and add the red onion. Cook stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Add the coriander and stir well. Cook for a further few minutes until the onions have completely softened.

Add the cannelloni beans and carefully stir to incorporate with the onions. Add the spinach, zest of one lemon, juice of one lemon, and fresh coriander. Season with salt and stir well. Remove from heat.

Serve the spinach and beans on a plate topped with the salmon. Optional, sprinkle over a little more lemon zest if desired. Serve immediately.

Click the downloadable link below to print recipe!