Last week was Mom and Sister’s birthdays.  And while I didn’t get to celebrate in person with Sister (yet) this year, Mom requested a salmon dinner on the night of big day.  As you may have guessed from my surprisingly few seafood recipes, seafood is something I haven’t quite mastered yet.  And this was an especially tall order because my mom happens to make the best salmon in town!  That’s quite the high standard to make both a birthday dinner and the birthday girl’s own specialty!  But I’m not one to back down from a challenge (culinary at least), so salmon it was!  Mom also requested that it be mustard-y…so after a bit of googling to get an idea of how to cook it, I whipped up this glaze, and I have to say the results were mighty fine!  The birthday Mom had a wonderful day, a delicious dinner and was a happy camper, what more could you ask for?

I served this with roasted garlic potatoes (fancy colorful ones!), and steamed broccoli.  This meal was a synch to put together and only takes about 40 minutes (or however long your potatoes cook), the fish is done in less then 10…now that’s what I call a good weeknight meal!

Maple-Mustard Glazed Salmon

Serves 3

• 4 tsp Dijon mustard (I used a combination of whole grain and creamy)
• 1 Tbsp Maple syrup
• 4 tsp olive oil
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp dill
• 3 (6oz) salmon filets
• salt and pepper to taste

In a small bowl, whisk together the first 5 ingredients until well combined.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.  Remove salmon from the fridge, rinse and pat dry, place the salmon skin-side down on the baking sheet.  Season with salt and pepper.  Turn on the broiler, and with the oven rack in the middle (not too close to the broiler), cook the salmon for 2-3 minutes.  Remove the pan and carefully pour the glaze over the filets.  Return the fish to the oven and cook for 4-6 more minutes or until the salmon is fork tender.