Salmon is my absolute favorite entrée to eat when dining out, but I hardly cook it at home simply because I never owned a stainless steel frying pan, until now.
Recently Bluestar contacted me for an opportunity to review their “high quality” stainless steel products. It was a pleasant surprise that I was one of the few lucky ones chosen, and naturally I agreed to do a review provided that I would share my own opinion regardless of what I thought of the product.
As it turns out, I loved Bluestar Cookware and here are a few reasons why…
- the stainless steel handle stays cool while cooking
- the surface of the pan heats up quickly & evenly
- the pans are NOT super lightweight, however they are NOT as heavy as a cast-iron pan either
- it’s made in the USA, hello, big one!
- it’s so pretty (I can be fickle)
Once I opened my cookware set and saw the stainless steel pan, I instantly knew I wanted to cook some meat… something easy… something crusty… how about some salmon?
Additionally, I made some brown rice, sautéed spinach, and a lemon garlic butter sauce to top off the grilled salmon. 
It was perfection to say the least. My husband agreed as he said with his mouth full, “man, this is a 5 out of a 5. It’s amazing!” He rated it before I could even ask, thank you, Bluestar. 
Quite honestly, I don’t have the expertise to tell you whether cooking with Bluestar Cookware would be any different than cooking with any other commercial cookware brand. However, what I can tell you is this… my salmon was crusty on the outside, tender on the inside, and I thoroughly enjoyed cooking with Bluestar Cookware because the pan heated up quickly and evenly. 
Lastly, BlueStar also makes professional quality cooking ranges for the home:
a. "best range top" - http://www.bluestarcooking.com/best-range-top
b. "best stove top" - http://www.bluestarcooking.com/best-stove-top
c. "best range" - http://www.bluestarcooking.com/best-range
Well, that sums it up. Hope I “kept it real” enough, and hope you’ll give this salmon dish a go!
NUTRITION: Salmon is a good fat and an excellent source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids which help lower bad cholesterol and help raise good cholesterol. In addition, the Omega-3s found in salmon are great for your skin which help prevent aging by building collagen and help keep skin soft and supple. The Omega-3s also encourage healthy hair growth. Furthermore, salmon is an excellent source of Protein, Iron, and Vitamins B12 and D. Spinach is also loaded with tons of nutrients. It is rich in Vitamins A, C, and K, and is an excellent source of Iron and Folic Acid. Spinach is also a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Lemon is an excellent source of Vitamin C.
INGREDIENTS (makes 3 servings):
for the rice:
- Basmati Brown Rice – 1 cup
- Water – 2 ¼ cup
for the spinach:
- Garlic Infused Extra Virgin Garlic Olive Oil – 1 tbsp
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – ½ tsp
- Fresh Spinach – 1 (10 ounce) bag
- Black Pepper – ½ tsp
- Salt – to taste
for the salmon:
- Fresh Salmon – 1 pound (cut into pieces)
- Organic Canola Oil – 1 tbsp
- Black Pepper – sprinkle on both sides of salmon
- Salt – sprinkle on both sides of salmon
for the lemon garlic sauce:
- Unsalted Butter – 1 tbsp
- Garlic – 2 cloves (chopped)
- Lemon – 1 (juice of 1 lemon)
- Black Pepper – ¼ tsp
- Salt – to taste
DIRECTIONS:
RICE
1. Start by preparing the rice… while it cooks, go to step 2.
SPINACH
2. Heat a pan heat on medium heat, add 1 tablespoon oil, once hot, add pepper flakes.
3. Once it sizzles, add the spinach. 
4. Saute for about 10 minutes or less, until the spinach wilts. Turn off the stove. Set aside.
SALMON
5. Here’s my salmon size.
6. Cut into filets. Sprinkle salt and black pepper on one side. 
7. Heat a pan with oil on medium heat. 
8. Once hot, add the salmon filet pieces, make sure the seasoned side is face down. Allow the salmon to cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until it is golden brown. Now season the side facing up with salt and black pepper.
9. Using tongs, turn over the filets. Love those grill marks. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown. 
10. Since I prefer my meats well-done, I cooked the sides of the salmon as well.
11. Once done, turn off the stove, and set aside.
Looks like salmon releases a LOT of oil because I didn’t use this much… oooh, all the fatty acids. 
LEMON GARLIC SAUCE 12. Juice a lemon and chop 2 cloves of garlic. 
13. Heat a pan on low-heat, add a tablespoon of butter, LIVE A LITTLE! 
14. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. 
15. Once the garlic sizzles, add the lemon juice.
16. Season with black pepper and salt. Stir. Turn off the stove.
17. Rice should be done.
PLATE AS FOLLOWS:
18. Scoop of rice.
19. Top with spinach.
20. Top with salmon.
21. Top with lemon garlic sauce. Really weird chemical reaction here, my garlic turned BLUE, I’ve never seen this happen before. Possibly, the acid from the lemon may have contributed to this chemical reaction. Tasted perfectly fine though.
TELL ME: Do you eat/cook salmon? How do you like your salmon?
eisha says
I was so excited to find out you're back to blogging! I have really missed you! YAYAYAYAY!
Can you tell I haven't really been in touch with the world lol! Look forward to seeing your new posts!
Parita says
Ohh lucky! I want to (one day) invest in some good solid stainless steel cookware. I've been hearing more and more about how the nonstick stuff is so bad for you.
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
My mouth is watering just looking at these pictures. I LOVE salmon!
Ameena says
Looks amazing...wish that I had a stainless steel pan as well because I love salmon but never make it since I seem incapable of making edible fish.
honeywhatscooking says
@Eisha - thank you for your sweet comment.. it made my day! I hope you enjoy the future posts. Welcome back!
honeywhatscooking says
@Parita - Yeah, I've heard a lot of negative things about nonstick pans, and I honestly think the only thing they are good for are omelets and pancakes. I need to invest in more stainless steel stuff, good quality ones. Thanks. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
@Bianca - thanks, you and I both! Love LOVE salmon!
honeywhatscooking says
@Ameena - I doubt that.. if I can do it, you can do it. It's actually less than 10 minutes to cook a piece of fish. Crazy, huh? I need to eat more fish. 🙂
Dixya says
the salmon looks very well done 🙂 loved how its so crispy on the outside! I have been meaning to purchase new set of stainless steel too and get rid of the nonstick ones.
The Squishy Monster says
I find myself gravitating towards salmon when out too. This looks fabulous! I'm so happy you have new things to play with =) yaaay for kitchen toys!
eatgood4life.blogspot.com says
Well aren't you super lucky? Why can people like that contact me too 😉 I could appreciate some free kitchen equipment! That salmon looks divine, if we ever meet could you please cook that for me? Now I need to buy a sauce pan like that because I am tired of grilling my salmon all the time 😉 Great recipe.
honeywhatscooking says
@Dixya - I love well done salmon, and the crisp exterior. I try to avoid nonstick as much as possible, unless I'm making eggs or pancakes.
honeywhatscooking says
@Squishy - Yeah, I love ordering salmon, it's just a healthier option with so many benefits. Love them kitchen toys. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
@eatgood4life - I did get lucky with this one, but trust me, I'm not generally the lucky ones in the blog world. Haha... of course I would. I love stainless steel, just never owned a sauteing pan. crazy huh?
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Salmon is fatty -- in a very good and healthy way!! Love the bed of spinach 🙂
Khushboo says
YUM! I absolutely love salmon...it's one of my favourites! As it's not freely available in Mumbai, I've been lapping it up in London while I can! There's so much flavour to it alone that I rarely need to add flavouring although teriyaki glaze pairs fabulously with it! I usually grill it in the oven as I find cooking it on the stove-top releases that salmon smell which lingers forever!
Great recipe, Nisha!
Christin@FortMillSCLiving says
Wow! Your salmon looks cooked to perfection! Salmon is one of my favorite things to cook. S healthy, and I love when it develops a nice crispy exterior.
Guru Uru says
Oh my gosh, salmon is perfectly cooked 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Natalie says
Looks like a perfect piece of salmon!
honeywhatscooking says
@Kiran - yes it is, probably what helps skin glow.
honeywhatscooking says
@Khushboo - yup, cooking salmon does smell a little, and that's why I need to open my windows. Salmon pairs really well with Asian sauces, love it. I also wanna try it in Indian curry. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
@Christina - yeah, I love the crispy exterior, in general, I love my meats well done, adds loads of flavor.
honeywhatscooking says
@Guru @Natalie - thanks guys! 🙂
Anonymous says
Oh my gosh, that salmon dish is making me salivate. I have to make this dish for dinner tonight. Its great how delicious it looks and how healthy it is. Where did you purchase the brown basmati rice. I've seen basmati white rice, but nver the brown version in the stores? Jc
honeywhatscooking says
@JC - Let me know how it turns out if you decide to make this. I purchased the "organic" Brown Basmati Rice from Costco, I think. It's yummy and healthy. Thanks!