Caramelized Maple Chili Salmon

It’s beautiful springtime around here lately, and somehow salmon and asparagus just seem to be a perfectly light meal made for spring.  So, I managed to make this delicious salmon for dinner about a week ago, and was reminded why I love it so much.  First off, it’s easy, easy, easy.  Super-duper easy!  And fast!  Done in less than 20 minutes, start to finish, I guarantee it!  This isn’t one of those recipes that promises to be quick and easy, done in 30 minutes, which really would be quick and easy if only someone pre-chopped, washed, prepped, etc all your ingredients.  Because by the time you get done doing all that, 15 minutes has already elapsed and you’ve yet to even start the recipe.  But this recipe… nope.  If you can’t get this recipe to your table in 20 minutes start to finish, then you are doing something wrong….  And, I often make a double batch of the spice rub and just keep it tightly covered for future use, which saves even more time.  Whoa.  In fact, this recipe is even easier and faster than frozen fish sticks, so therefore you have no excuses!

And then… well, it just tastes delicious.  Rich salmon flavor is complemented by a touch of smoky spice and balanced by a lightly sweet caramelized maple glaze.  Yum, yum, YUM.  This has been my favorite way to make salmon for years now.  You have to try it.  And finally… it’s healthy!  Super triple win!  Salmon is super food in my book, especially wild-caught Alaskan salmon (not the farmed stuff with color added – which just seems creepy to me – although it generally tastes deliciously rich and moist, while the wild Alaskan salmon is a bit more meaty and lean).  Pair it with some delicious, tender spring asparagus for a perfect, healthy, low-carb meal.