Perfectly Grilled Salmon with Homemade Marinade 

by Noor H. Salem, Certified Holistic Health Coach

The weather is only getting warmer, and after weeks of quarantine, you are probably nostalgic over last year’s picnics and barbeque. While it’s crucial that you continue safe social distancing practice, having a nice barbeque in your backyard could give you and your family a nice feel of fresh air. When you think summer, perhaps your mind instantaneously thinks of freshly grilled food that fills the air with an incredible smell.

While enjoying your outdoor activities with family, it’s important that you don’t lose focus of your healthy eating habits. Making small sacrifices, like being cautious of consuming too much ice cream, or avoiding the ranch dressing while munching on your fresh veggie cuts, can help you keep your health in check, without taking from enjoying family time. 

Grabbing a bottle of the ready marinade to prepare chicken, meat, or seafood can be an easy way to give your food a burst of flavor while saving time. Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that many store-bought marinades might not contain the highest quality ingredients. Many might contain artificial colorings or flavorings, such as natural or artificial smoke flavor. Citric acid, monosodium glutamate, and other unnatural flavor agents are commonly added as well.

Dry spice packets that you can just add to your meat or chicken may not be any healthier; they many come along with natural and artificial flavorings, preservatives, hydrogenated fats, and detrimental ingredients. For that, it’s highly recommended that you avoid pre-marinated meat or seafood, and make your own instead. Not only is it fairly easy to make your own marinade, but it also allows you to add in additional spices and herbs that are very beneficial for you and your family. Furthermore, you are then able to avoid consuming genetically engineered oils that may be used, such as vegetable oil, corn oil, soybean oil, or canola oil. Try this very easy yet scrumptious marinade, and enjoy your family gatherings without sacrificing your healthy eating habits. You can use this recipe for chicken or shrimp as well! 

Ingredients: 

• 8 filets (4-6 ounces each) wild-caught salmon
• ½ cup organic apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 
• ¼ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed 
• 2 tablespoons paprika 
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 
• 2 tablespoons Himalayan Pink Salt 
• 1 tablespoon ground mustard seed
• 1 teaspoon rosemary, ground 
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, minced 
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced 
• 1 teaspoon dried dill 

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. 
2. Place salmon in a single-layered glass Pyrex. Poke salmon with a knife (so marinate can sink in). 
3. Pour marinade over salmon and brush evenly on all sides of each filet. Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight.  
4. When ready to cook: Grill the salmon about 4-5 minutes on each side, or as needed until they are well-done. (You can also bake the salmon for 20 minutes on 400 degrees Fahrenheit). 
5. Enjoy! 

Noor H. Salem is an author of six books, speaker, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, from Michigan. Noor works with clients in better understanding their bodies and healing with natural foods through her wellness practice, Holistic Noortrition. She presents various workshops, school lectures, group coaching classes, and community lectures on the topic of holistic health. Noor recently published her book, SUNNAH SUPERFOODS, a culmination of life-changing recipes and remedies, with a foreword by Dr. Waleed Basyouni. Her book consists of prophetic hadith, modern research, and delicious recipes, and is in the process of being translated into other languages.