Five easy, nutritious and delicious recipes for salmon

Salmon is one of the most nutrition rich foods you can serve. You've probably heard about the Omega-3 fatty acids, powerful antioxidants and on your doctor's list of healthy foods. Salmon is one of your best sources of naturally occurring Omega-3s. If you enjoy fish, salmon should appear on your menus often. Here we offer five delicious ways to load up on this nutritious food. Here are some 'generic' recipes for salmon, with a few different variations on each.

When buying salmon, watch for sales on the whole fish. This not only saves you money, but time as well. If you cook a whole salmon, you can separate the salmon into meal-sized portions, flash freeze them on a cookie sheet in the freezer and then bag the portions in freezer bags. Test for doneness with a fork placed in the thickest portion. It's done when it flakes and there is no translucence in the meat. If not already filleted, do so after cooking. Be sure to squeeze out all the air before sealing. Better yet, if you have a food sealing appliance, your meat will be vacuum packed. Frozen salmon is best when used within one month.

1.Grilled salmon is one of the easiest of recipes for salmon. You can grill it under the broiler, but you'll achieve the best flavor by using your barbecue grill. Place a couple of handfuls of mesquite chips in an aluminum tray, covered with enough water to soak the chips thoroughly. Allow about a half hour for this process. There are two basic ways to grill salmon. You can use a fish basket, available at kitchen shops, which allows you to turn the fish easily. The second method almost guarantees a moist and juicy result. Lay the fish on a piece of foil large enough to wrap the fish. Place a few thin slices of fresh lemon over the fish. Fold the foil over the fish, pinching the foil almost closed, leaving just an inch or two open to allow steam to escape. Optionally, you can enhance the flavor of this recipe for salmon with a couple of sprigs of fresh dill or tarragon.

2.You know that salads are good additions to your diet. This recipe for salmon doubles the nutritive value and makes an elegant lunch or dinner entree. Dark green, crisp lettuces, such as Romaine, add an attractive crunchy contrast to the salmon, as well as lots of fiber. Prepare a bed of lettuce, mound the salmon in the center and surround with wedges of tomato, sliced cucumber, a sliced hard-boiled egg and a sprinkling of diced Red Spanish onion for a colorful and highly nutritious meal. Of course, you can choose other veggies as you prefer. If you're calorie-conscious, you might just sprinkle the salmon with lemon juice and eat this salad 'bare'. Some people like the salad dressed with a side of plain mayonnaise, or Thousand Island dressing.

3.Ever had a salmon sandwich? Yes, indeed, this easy recipe for salmon makes a gourmet lunch or dinner. Healthy, low in calories and purely delicious and satisfying. Dress a hoagie roll with mayo, or Thousand Island dressing. A teaspoon of lemon juice sprinkled over the fish adds a little zip to this dish. Pile on the fish and then top with thinly sliced tomato, crisp lettuce and chopped fresh parsley. If you prefer, add or substitute alfalfa sprouts or thin slices of onion. A delicious way to eat leftover salmon!

4.Salmon chowder is a nutritious and filling variation on the traditional clam chowder. If you're looking for truly easy recipes for salmon, it doesn't get any easier than beginning with a tall can of purchased white clam chowder. When the soup is heated, toss in several chunks of salmon, a pinch of dried dill and your meal is ready! If you've got a bit of leftover corn or boiled potatoes, use them up now. Naturally, if you enjoy making homemade chowder, go for it!

5.Salmon served on a bed of pasta is the last of our easy salmon recipes, but certainly not the least in the flavorful lineup. Egg noodles and linguine are good choices for this dish. Saute a mix of veggies, such as red sweet bell pepper, diced onions and sliced mushrooms. Again, check the frig for bits of leftover veggies. Toss these with your cooked pasta and place your salmon in the center of the plate. You're ready to eat. This dish can also be served with a little Alfredo sauce for a delectable variation.

Now, you'll never be at a loss for easy recipes for salmon!