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Easy roasted balsamic salmon and Brussels sprouts are served with farro for a delicious weeknight dinner!
I think I’m officially a food blogger. I made myself this balsamic salmon and Brussels sprouts farro bowl for lunch. Who does that? Who eats lunch like this in the middle of the week?
Me, apparently.
I work from home for my full-time job and my kids are in preschool in the mornings. I have them with me in the afternoons (while I’m still working) so except when they take a little nap, I’m usually juggling half a dozen things that need my undivided attention.
You do the math on that one…
So lunch? It’s usually a very simple, grab what I can, when I can and more often than not, it happens at 3:00 when my daughter comes downstairs for snack. Late lunch indeed.
So how did this seemingly elegant, leisurely lunch come to pass?
I spied this salmon at the grocery store and I literally could not resist.
Seriously, I was at the counter getting chicken breasts and pork chops and I glanced over and saw this, the most perfect piece of salmon. I tried to look away. I tried to focus on my list. I tried to make sure my kids weren’t falling out of the cart.
But all of that melted away and all I could see was this salmon.
The man handed me my other goods and asked if that was all. I said yes. Then I immediately said no. And I watched with excitement as he wrapped this lovely salmon up for me.
Single serving. All mine. #doesn’tsharewellwithothers
So the next day for lunch, I spent a few minutes getting this prepped and popped it in the oven before getting on a conference call. Real life doesn’t actually get put on pause for perfect salmon, sadly.
Also, I’m all about multi-tasking.
I got off my call and polished off this delightful bowl of balsamic salmon and Brussels sprouts and farro in no time. And then I made it for dinner the next week. #notcompletelyselfish Also, I was able to enjoy it with some wine that time around and that just made it all the more decadent.
I don’t foresee this on my regular lunch-time rotation, but I do plan to make it for dinner again and again. And I hope you can spoil yourself with it at some meal in the near future. Also, I wish you salmon as plump and perfect as I stumbled across.
Enjoy!
Balsamic salmon and Brussels sprouts with farro
Easy roasted balsamic salmon and Brussels sprouts are served with farro for a delicious weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
For the salmon
- 4 (5-6 oz.) pieces of wild salmon filets
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
For the Brussels sprouts
- 1 (1 lb.) package of Brussels sprouts, washed, trimmed and outer leaves removed - also, cut any medium or large sprouts in half or fourths so they're all the same size
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (can omit for less heat)
For the farro
- 1 (8-9 oz.) package of quick-cooking farro (I buy the 10-minute farro at Trader Joe's)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400.
- Place salmon filets skin-side down on a large piece of aluminum foil. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper, then drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Fold up the sides of the aluminum foil to make foil packets and seal and crimp the tops, so the salmon is enclosed. Set aside.
- On a large baking sheet, toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Spread them out evenly around the edges of the baking sheet.
- Place the salmon foil packet in the middle of the baking sheet.
- Roast at 400 for 20 minutes. (See notes.)
- In the meantime, cook the farro according to package directions.
- To serve, spoon the farro into a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the Brussels sprouts and salmon in the bowl. Drizzle with extra olive oil and balsamic vinegar, if desired, and serve!
Recipe Notes
If you get a super thick piece of salmon, like I had the first time I made this, it will take closer to 30 minutes to cook it through. In that case, start the salmon in the oven for about 10 minutes before adding the Brussels sprouts. If your salmon is more of what I find to be regular size - under an inch thick - they will cook in about the same time and you can proceed with the recipe as written above.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 504kcal Calories from fat 144 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol 70mg | 23% |
| Sodium 791mg | 33% |
| Carbohydrate 46g | 15% |
| Dietary Fiber 9g | 36% |
| Sugars 5g | |
| Protein 47g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
First of all, you are most DEFINITELY a food blogger, and a great one at that. And secondly, this dish has literally all my favorite things in it. I have a serious crush on farro in particular. Cheers to you for rocking a fabulous lunch!
Kathryn says
Aw, thanks Kate! It really was a rocking lunch 🙂 And will be repeated often at dinner, if nothing else. Have a great weekend!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
This looks like the perfect meal! You are def a super Mama for pulling this off!
Kathryn says
Haha, or maybe just a little crazy 😉 Thanks Julie!
Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry says
You are a multi-tasking machine, Kathryn! Seriously, wow – full-time work, two young kids and this amazing blog all at once (plus many other things, I’m sure). Not sure how you do it! All I can say is that that piece of salmon all to yourself was well deserved! We are also huge salmon fans in this house. We usually pick up four pieces of fresh Tasmanian salmon every Saturday at the farmers markets, so in my mind, weekends equal salmon time. It’s a lovely food ritual that we really enjoy. Next time, I’ll need to try your balsamic version 🙂
Kathryn says
Aw, thanks Lisa! It’s the little indulgences that are so fun, right? Speaking of, I love your weekend salmon plan – sounds like a delicious tradition!
Helen Fern says
This meal looks amazing!! I love everything about it! Thanks for sharing on the “What’s for Dinner” link up~
Kathryn says
Thanks Helen! It’s such a delicious bowl of goodness!
Nancy | Plus Ate Six says
I don’t think it was ever in doubt that you’re a legit food blogger 🙂 Salmon calls to me that way too sometimes!
Kathryn says
Haha, thanks Nancy 😉 And glad I’m not the only one who hears the salmon whisper!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Hahahaha! I can see you at the grocery store with your list and kids, and saying “yes” then quickly saying “no”. Too funny. Lord knows I have done the same thing… minus juggling kids of course. So glad you picked up that perfectly portioned for one piece of salmon, Kathryn, because this dish looks delicious! Everything I love all on one plate (or bowl)! So much yum here! Cheers, friend!
Kathryn says
Thanks Cheyanne! It was a lovely impulse purchase 🙂
karrie@TastyEverAfter says
Salmon is my favorite fish and I’m always looking for a new recipe. Love the sides on this too. Next time I’m at Trader Joe’s I’ll have to get that quick-cooking farro! Thanks for posting this yummy recipe 😉
Kathryn says
Mine too Karrie! It’s so tasty and so amazingly healthy – we try to eat it almost every week 🙂
Ashley @The Olive and The Sea says
I’m excited to try this recipe with some of the flavored balsamics from my local olive oil and balsamic shop. And the combination of brussel sprouts with salmon – delicious! Now, if I could just manage my schedule as efficiently as you do… : )
Kathryn says
Ha, one day at a time, right Ashley? 😉 And yes, this would be delicious with a flavored balsamic!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
I’ve been meaning to try farro. And the balsamic salmon looks magnificent! I’m addicted to a fig balsamic so I may try it with that!
Kathryn says
You will love farro, Michelle! It’s got such a great flavor and texture! And oooh, I bet the fig balsamic would be delicious here!
Megan | Freckled Italian says
I love doing Brussels sprouts like this with balsamic! Yum. The salmon looks awesome.
Kathryn says
Thanks Megan! I’m addicted to these Brussels sprouts – hate sharing them!
Debra @ Bowl Me Over says
This meal looks amazing – I know that the salmon would pair so nicely with the earthiness of the farro and with those perfectly cartelized Brussels Sprouts – I don’t blame you, I wouldn’t share either! 😉 Just wanted to pop by from #FoodieFriDIY and thank you again for linking up. I’m featuring your amazing meal this week – please come link up again! Have a great evening!
Kathryn says
It is such a well-balanced and composed little bowl of delightfulness 😉 Thanks so much Debra and I look forward to the party tonight!
Frugal Hausfrau says
I think my mouth is literally watering! I saw some gorgeous Salmon at the store and passed it up, but haven’t been able to get it out of my mind and bow you HAD to go and post this! With Brussels and Farro, no less. I swear I could eat an entire bag of brussels for dinner, and nothing else and be perfectly happy!
Thanks for bringing this by to Throwback Thursday!!
Mollie
Kathryn says
You have more self control than me, Mollie. I literally could not walk away from that salmon! And I’m with you on eating a whole pan of Brussels sprouts for dinner – have definitely done that. 😉 Hope you make this – you will love it!