The brightness of basil pesto is a nice match for the buttery flavor of salmon in this quick and healthy dinner recipe. Refrigerated pesto, found near fresh sauces and salsas at most stores, is prettier and has a better taste than jarred.

Makes: 4 servings              Serving Size: 4 oz. salmon & 1 1/4 cups pasta                Active Time: Total Time: 

INGREDIENTS:

  • 8 ounces whole-wheat fettuccine
  • 2/3 cup pesto
  • 1 1/4 pounds wild salmon (see Tip), skinned and cut into 4 portions
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

PREPARATION:

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook until just tender, about 9 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with pesto.
  2. Meanwhile, season salmon with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon and cook, turning once, until just opaque in the middle, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Serve the salmon with the pasta.

TIPS & NOTES:

  • Wild-caught salmon from the Pacific (Alaska) is considered the best choice for the environment because it’s sustainably fished. Look for sustainably farmed Atlantic salmon, too (the label may say land- or tank-based); conventional farming methods endanger the wild salmon population. For more information about sustainable seafood, go to seafoodwatch.org.

NUTRITION:

Per serving:  calories 603;  fat 28 g(7 g sat, 16 g mono);  cholesterol 80 mg;  carbohydrates 45 g;  added sugars 0 g ; total sugars  2 g;  protein 44 g;  fiber 8g;    sodium  537mg; potassium 768 mg.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin B12 (104% daily value), Calcium (37% dv), Magnesium (36% dv), Iron (23% dv), Potassium (22% dv), Zinc (18% dv), Omega 3-s

Carbohydrate Servings: 3

Exchanges: 3 starch, 4 lean meat, 4 1/2 fat

Recipe online