Salmon has never been so kid-friendly thanks to a sumptuously sweet maple syrup glaze. If your child is reluctant to taste it, try telling them that eating it will give them a super brain!
Here is an easy to follow recipe for maple syrup salmon with sesame asparagus orzo:
Ingredients (Serves 2 adults and 2 toddlers)
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon grainy mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/4 pounds center-cut salmon fillet (about 1-inch thick)
- 2/3 cup whole-wheat orzo
- 3/4 pound asparagus, bottoms snapped off
- 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
Directions
- Blend together maple syrup with grainy mustard and balsamic.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Adjust oven rack to highest point.
- Preheat broiler and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Place a covered medium-size pot of hot water over medium-high heat for boiling pasta.
- Place salmon on prepared baking sheet.
- Remove pin bones from each piece with fish tweezers (or clean pliers).
- Spoon mustard-maple mixture over fish (for a 6- to 9-month-old, leave a small portion of salmon without sauce) and broil 3 to 4 inches from heat until fish is flaky and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Remove salmon from oven, turn off broiler and lightly cover fish with aluminum foil to keep warm.
- Add orzo to boiling water and cook 8 minutes.
- Add asparagus and cook 2 minutes more.
- Drain pasta and asparagus, then transfer back to pot (for a 6- to 9-month-old, set aside a small portion of pasta and a small portion of asparagus without sauce).
- Stir in sesame oil and soy sauce.
- Serve salmon and orzo-asparagus mixture with two accompaniments your little one is familiar with, such as warm bread and a side of apple slices or natural applesauce.
Enjoy!
