Ginger-Soy Salmon and Baked Asparagus with Balsamic Butter Sauce

Oooheeeee! I am so happy I tried these recipes. So tasty! My mother and I are practicing eating better, so I used low-sodium soy sauce and replaced the brown sugar with Splenda's Brown Sugar Blend. I also didn't have fresh ginger on hand, so I used ground ginger (3/4 tsp) and it was fine. I really do recommend using the optional cilantro to top the salmon with. It really adds a fresh taste.

Ginger-Soy Salmon

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 tablespoon each sesame oil,

brown sugar and grated fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1-1/4 pound center-cut salmon fillet, cut into 4 pieces

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat it with cooking spray.
If your sesame seeds are not toasted, in a small saucepan stir them over medium heat until they are lightly toasted, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.

Sprinkle the top-side of each salmon piece (not the skin side) with 1 tablespoon of the sesame seeds. Set the salmon, seeded-side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the salmon for 7 minutes.

While the salmon is baking, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, cornstarch, and black pepper in a small saucepan. Stir the glaze over medium heat until simmering and thickened, about two minutes.

Remove baking sheet from oven and turn the fillets over. Top each one with about 2 tablespoons of the glaze. Continue baking for another 7 minutes or so, or until the fish is just opaque in the center. Pull off and discard the skin from each fillet. Sprinkle with cilantro, if using.

Baked Asparagus with Balsamic Butter Sauce

1 bunch fresh asparagus

salt and pepper

2 tbsp. butter

1 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange asparagus a baking sheet and coat with cooking spray. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for 12 minutes or until tender.

Melt the butter in a small dish in the microwave. Stir in soy sauce and balsamic vinegar. Pour over the baked asparagus and serve.