The story of salmon is an interesting one. It is the story of a fish born in fresh water – a fish that gradually migrates out to the ocean, only to come back again to the fresh water when the time has come to reproduce. It is the story of a species determined to survive, sometimes against incredible odds.

Most of the salmon we purchase today comes from Canada, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, Greenland and Norway. Since I live in Canada, it is a fish that is readily accessible and very popular.

Health Benefits

• Salmon is rich in Omega-3, which has many health benefits to its credit, including defensive action against many forms of cancer.
• Salmon helps to prevent and control high blood pressure, offering protection against heart attacks and strokes.
• Salmon is an excellent source of protein.
• Salmon is rich in nutrients but low in calories.

What’s not to like about all of that?

Sesame Secret

I’ve always known that salmon is one of those healthy foods that everyone ought to eat regularly. But for me, it is important that food also taste good. Fortunately, I’ve discovered some techniques that make salmon taste so good you’d think it was bad for you. See Saumon au Champagne (Salmon in Champagne Sauce) and Truite de Mer, Sauce Verte (whole poached salmon trout with herbed mayonnaise). And then there is this Sesame Salmon recipe, which has been a family favorite for some time now.

The magic ingredient in this recipe is the sesame seeds, which give the salmon an exotic, nutty and slightly Asian flavour. They are a good source of calcium and protein and are often used in both sweet and savoury dishes from Japan, China, the Middle East, South America, Africa and Asia.

Recipe for Sesame Salmon

Salmon Marinade:
Juice of one lemon
¼ cup sesame oil
¼ cup soy sauce

Combine marinade ingredients and marinate salmon for several hours.

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Bake for about half an hour, until the salmon is cooked. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, if desired.

Tasting Notes

The salmon is tender and flaky, the crunchy sesame seeds adding an interesting contrast in both taste and texture. This is a recipe to pull out again and again, and a pleaser for the whole family.

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