It’s full-blown winter, folks. Shorter days lead to shorter energy spans and that can impact important decisions like—hey, what’s for dinner? Put down the frozen dinner down, my friend. Let’s suit up for one heck of a hearty and healthy winter meal. This easy salmon recipe is ready in 30-minutes or less.

This baked salmon recipe is quick to prep, with plenty of time to whip up a couple of quick and easy side dishes. I paired my salmon with a zesty arugula and pecorino salad as well as a scallion-y and fluffy couscous. Sounds to me like the perfect recipe for a toasty, romantic candlelit dinner at home for two. You know, food for thought.

COOK’S TIP: Did you know you can regrow your scallions? Leave at least 2-3 inches from the root base, place in a cup of water and watch your scallions come back to life in a matter of days. Healthy Winter Meals: Crispy Baked Salmon Serves 2 people Ingredients 1 large or 2 filets of wild-caught salmon 1 tbsp. mayonnaise 1 tbsp. sriracha 1 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. celery salt ½ tsp. paprika panko bread crumbs olive oil Side Dishes (optional) ½ lemon, juiced 2 tbsp. olive oil pecorino romano ¾ cup couscous 1½ cups water 1 small shallot, half-mooned ¼ cup scallions, thinly sliced ½ lemon, juiced salt + pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. Pat salmon dry. Drizzle oil on a baking sheet and place skin side down. Oil generously so salmon skin does not stick. In a small mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sriracha, chili powder, paprika and celery salt. Using a silicone spatula, top the salmon generously with the mixture. Add panko crumbs. Place in the oven for 25 minutes.

While salmon is baking, prepare you sides dishes. In a small saucepan, add olive oil and saute shallots until browned. Add water and bring to a boil. Add couscous, remove from heat and cover. Let absorb 5-7 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then add scallions and ½ lemon’s worth of juice. Leave covering until serving. In a large bowl, add arugula, ½ lemon’s worth of juice, olive oil and salt. Using a cheese slicer, add small slices of pecorino. Mix thoroughly. After 25 minutes, increase oven temperature to 425°. Bake 5-7 minutes until panko crumbs are rightfully browned. Remove from oven and serve immediately.

Bon appetito!