The Perfect Summer Meal

The perfect summer meal means quick, easy, fresh & filling!

The perfect summer meal means quick, easy, fresh & filling. And this right here is just that meal! So much flavor, so filling and yet light and healthy. The combination of salmon, chickpeas and quinoa makes this dish hardy and filling while all the fresh veggies make it light. I prefer to cook my salmon on the grill wrapped in tin foil which makes for a quick & easy cleanup, but it could always be pan fried or baked in the oven.

Recipe (makes 4 servings)

For the salmon:

4 salmon filets (I prefer skinless)

Dill

Salt

Lemon pepper

Olive oil

1 lemon

For the Salad:

3 C cooked quinoa (cooled)

1 can chickpeas (rinsed & drained)

1/2 head cauliflower chopped

2 carrots chopped

1/4 red onion chopped

2 handfuls spinach chopped

1/2 C cherry tomatoes cut in half

Salt & Pepper

1/2 lemon

2-3 T red wine vinegar

4 T Olive oil

To prepare the salmon use two large sheets of tin foil, 2 salmon filets per foil sheet, oil the bottom of the tin foil and place salmon on top. Season salmon with salt, lemon pepper, dill and a squeeze of fresh lemon on each side. Wrap salmon in foil creating a tent, not tight around the salmon but so it is completely sealed. Place salmon “tents” on your preheated grill on medium heat. Let cook for 10-12 minutes depending on how thick your salmon is. No need to open foil and flip, they will evenly cook in their tin foil tents!

While the salmon is cooking, assemble your salad.

Add cooked quinoa, chickpeas, carrots, cauliflower, spinach, tomatoes & red onion to a large mixing bowl. I like to chop all the veggies fairly small so then you’re getting a bit of everything in each bite. Mix to combine. I tend to be pretty lazy when it comes to making a dressing, and my thoughts are less is more! With that being said I simply squeeze half a lemon, the olive oil and red wine vinegar over the salad. Mix everything together. Salt & pepper to taste. Give it a taste and see if you need to add more of anything. Easy peasy.

Once the salmon is cooked to your liking, remove it from the grill. Be careful opening the tents as there will be a lot of steam that comes out!

Scoop your desired portion of salad into a serving bowl and top with a salmon filet.

Enjoy!