Need dinner in a pinch? This Basil Panko-Crusted Salmon comes together in no time. Fresh flavors, nutrient-rich ingredients… it’s a busy week’s dream come true!
This post was sponsored by Alaska Seafood as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Here is what I’ve learned in the last few years: If we waited for life to “calm down” in order to cook proper, delicious meals… we’d all be serving cereal for dinner eternally. Am I right?
Last week was a good example of the typical juggling act that many families go through. I was organizing {and DIY-ing tons of crafty things for} my sister’s bridal shower. I had deadlines to meet for work projects. Conference calls to dial into and emails to answer. My husband was going to be away for 4 days, leaving me to do the solo parent thing with a dog and a 2 year old during a particularly busy weekend. The grocery shopping, house cleaning, laundry and dishes still needed tending to.
Did I mention that we are gearing up for a potential hurricane hit, too? I was swamped.
Times like these are what keeps drive-thrus busy, drawing folks in like a moth to the flame– the promise of a quick, cheap meal can be all-too-alluring, I know. But even amidst all the chaos last week, I was still able to crank out a quick {not to mention delicious, if I do say so myself!} meal that beat the heck out of anything that comes in a greasy paper bag: Basil Panko-Crusted Salmon over Spinach and Tomato Rice.
How, you ask? I’ll share my secret: A well-stocked fridge and pantry.
For me, keeping my fridge and pantry stocked with foods that are both simple to prepare and nutritious is easier than strapping the toddler into his car seat and getting a mediocre meal through the pickup window. And with a little planning, it can be just as easy for you, too!
Wild-caught, Alaska salmon is a great ingredient to have on hand because it’s packed with nutrients AND easy to cook! It is available year-round {look for frozen Alaska salmon in the off season or ask your fishmonger for Alaska to ensure you’re getting the highest quality fish}, so no matter when you need a little help getting a healthful meal on the table, you can count on being able to find it.
Along with the help of one of my favorite convenience items, frozen brown rice, I was able to make a meal in under 30 minutes that was both satisfying and sanity-saving. 🙂
Since salmon cooks fairly quickly, it makes for an ideal, quick dinner. The crunchy basil and panko topping that I quickly pulsed together in the food processor helped add flavor and texture to the fish, and I think it helps to keep it from drying out as it cooks, too.
While the salmon bakes in the oven, the tomato and spinach rice comes together in just a few minutes — those charred cherry tomatoes make an amazing, creamy “sauce” as they cook and burst, creating a dish that seems way more complicated than it is!
Let’s face it: Life is always going to be busy and unpredictable. The best we can do is plan for the “crazy” and enjoy the benefits of quick-cooking, nutrient-rich ingredients that are easy to have at our fingertips… and let someone else worry about the dishes!
Don’t forget to #AskForAlaska the next time you’re grocery shopping {and even if you’re out at a restaurant!}. For more Alaska Seafood recipes that you can make in a snap, check out the Alaska salmon!
Basil Panko-Crusted Salmon
