Bayside Balsamic Glazed Salmon

I love going to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach.  Besides being one of the top aquariums in the country with more than 800,000 gallons of aquariums and live animal habitats, more than 300 hands-on exhibits, an outdoor aviary, 10 acres of marsh habitat and a 1/3 mile nature trail.   Animal highlights include sharks, sea-turtles, harbor seals, river otters, stingrays, and more.  It is truly an educational adventure

After a walk through the Aquarium, I am always in the mood for fresh fish, especially after seeing so many fish swimming in the tank. 

On the way home, I stopped by the Fresh Market and purchased some lovely salmon.  The Bayside Balsamic Glazed Salmon (page 111) is a very tasty and easy dish to fix.  The tangy tart taste of the balsamic vinegar with the sweet Dijon mustard adds just the right flavor to this wonderful fish.  Not to mention how good salmon is for you with all of the anti-oxidants.   This dish is easy to prepare if you are cooking just for yourself or family.

Bayside Balsamic Glazed Salmon

1 pound fresh salmon fillets
Vegetable cooking spray
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

• Rinse salmon, pat dry.
• Heat nonstick skillet; spray with vegetable cooking spray.
• Cook Salmon on flesh side for five minutes on medium heat; turn salmon and cook on skin side for three minutes.
• Remove salmon and place on plate.
• Stir balsamic vinegar into skillet; cook on medium heat until balsamic vinegar has reduced by half, approximately three minutes.
• Lower heat.
• Stir in Dijon mustard; mix into a smooth glaze.
• Salt and pepper salmon; return salmon skin side down to skillet.
• Cover skillet; cook skin side down for two minutes.
• Remove to plate.
• Remaining glaze may be spooned over salmon.

If you do not want to use the skillet;

• You can also broil the salmon in the oven for about 5-7 minutes.
• Mix the balsamic vinegar and Dijon style mustard in a mixing cup and to make the sauce slightly thicker, add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and stir.

• When fish is done, remove to plate and spoon glaze over salmon.

Serves 4
Preparation time:  20 minutes
Cooking time:  15 minutes