30-minute Baked Salmon with Fresh Mint Watermelon Salad
On a recent visit to Canova Hall, a trendy restaurant and co-working space in Brixton, I stumbled upon a delightful snack that made my day: chocolate doughnuts topped with fresh strawberries and mint.
The sweet and rich chocolate paired beautifully with the burst of freshness from the mint and strawberries, making for a truly unforgettable taste experience.
This tasty treat reminded me of a favourite dish—watermelon, feta, and mint salad, especially perfect now that watermelon season is beginning. It's a simple, healthy dish that takes just 30 minutes to put together.
To complete the meal, I paired the salad with baked salmon, a regular in my diet for its omega-3 benefits and anti-inflammatory properties. I prefer wild-caught salmon for the best flavour and sustainability. You can easily find all these ingredients at your local supermarket.
If fish isn't your preferred option, feel free to replace the protein. This salad also pairs well with red meat, such as steak.
This dish makes a great option for spring lunch or dinner!
Letty Spaghetti x
RECIPE
Serves: 2
Preparation time: 30 mins
INGREDIENTS:
2 salmon fillets (Wild Sockeye Salmon)
1 small watermelon
½ of a large cucumber
1 lemon
½ lime
100g of feta cheese (crumbled)
A handful of fresh mint and basil
Salt and pepper
3 tsp ground paprika
2 tsp dried garlic
1 tbsp honey
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (2 for the salmon marinade and 2 for the salad)
METHOD:
Preheat your oven to 200°C
Start by prepping your salad ingredients. Cut a small watermelon into cubes (remove any seeds), and dice half of a large cucumber (washed, skin left on) Place both in a bowl
Grab a handful of fresh mint and basil and chop them finely
Moving on to the salmon prep, slice one lemon and set aside for later (you'll need 4 slices)
For the salmon marinade, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a small bowl. Then add 3 teaspoons of ground paprika, 2 teaspoons of dried garlic, and salt to taste
Prep an oven dish by lining it with baking paper. Place your salmon fillets in the middle of the dish and brush with the marinade you've made. Place the slices of lemon on top. Your salmon is now ready to bake for 15 minutes
Back to the salad prep, mix your chopped watermelon with the diced cucumber Add in your fresh mint and basil, 1 tablespoon of honey, squeeze half a lime, add salt and pepper, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then mix
To finish off your salad, crumble 100g of feta cheese and mix again to combine all the ingredients
Once 15 minutes are up, take the salmon out of the oven; it should be nicely golden on top
Plate your salmon and add as much of the salad on the side as you like. Enjoy!
