6 Healthy Whole-Grain Dinners

Spicy Salmon with Olive-and-Lemon Quinoa

Makes: 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
1/2 cup chopped scallions
Small pinch red pepper flakes
Pinch salt
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
Nonstick cooking spray
1 pound thick skin-on salmon fillet
1 cup quinoa*, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
2 tablespoons pitted, chopped black olives
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the scallions and red pepper with the salt and 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil.
2. Spray a small roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray and lay the salmon in it skin side down. Cover the fish with the scallion-and-red-pepper mixture. Roast the salmon in the top third of the oven until it is barely opaque at the center of the thickest part, about 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the quinoa; cover and cook over low heat until the water is absorbed, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and add the remaining olive oil and the pine nuts, olives, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Serve the salmon over the quinoa.
Nutrition facts per serving: 472 calories, 31g protein, 30g carbohydrate, 26g fat (4.9g saturated), 3g fiber

* Technically a seed, quinoa is packed with protein and magnesium, a nutrient that lowers blood pressure. Light and fluffy, quinoa is perfect for salads and side dishes.