Ticker-Tempting Salmon

No food gets your heart ticking quite like salmon. It's low in saturated fat, yet rich in polyunsaturated fats such as omega-3. Eating fatty fish can help prevent memory loss as you age. This tasty salmon and sautéed tomato dish will have you thinking smart in no time.

Cooking/prep time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 (4-oz. salmon; 1½ cups vegetables)

Ingredients:

2 (4-oz.) salmon fillets, cut about ¾-inch thick
1 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
4 tsp. minced chives, divided
1 shallot, thinly sliced
2 c. cherry tomatoes, halved
¼ tsp. salt, divided
¼ tsp. pepper, divided
1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
½ small red and ½ small yellow bell pepper, roasted or grilled, cut into thin strips
1 c. mixed baby greens
2 lemon wedges, optional

Directions:

1. Brush each salmon fillet with ½ tsp. oil. Sprinkle each fillet with ½ tsp. chives. Set aside 30 minutes. Wipe off chives.

2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tsp. oil in large nonstick skillet. Add shallot and tomatoes. Sprinkle on 1⁄8 tsp. each salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until tomatoes are pulpy. Stir in basil. Spoon tomato mixture onto deep serving plate. Set aside.

3. For grilling, brush grill lightly with ½ tsp. oil; preheat grill. Brush salmon lightly with remaining ½ tsp. oil and season with remaining 1⁄8 tsp. each salt and pepper. Grill salmon starting skin-side down over medium-high heat, 4 to 5 minutes per side or until cooked through. For indoor cooking, wipe out nonstick skillet. Heat remaining 1 tsp. oil over medium-high heat. Season salmon with remaining 1⁄8 tsp. each salt and pepper. Add salmon to skillet, skin-side down. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until cooked through to center. Remove from skillet.

4. To assemble, arrange salmon over tomatoes. Sprinkle remaining chives over salmon and tomatoes. Place pepper strips over salmon. Place baby greens on plate. Garnish with lemon wedges.

Nutritional information per serving:

285 calories, 13.5 grams total fat, 33 grams protein, 13 grams carbohydrates, 44 milligrams cholesterol, 350 milligrams sodium and 3.5 grams dietary fiber