Easy Oven-Baked Salmon

Guess what I whipped up the other night? A weeknight dinner that's so easy, you'll wonder why you haven't tried it before. Get ready to meet your new favorite – Oven Baked Salmon with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Green beans. A simple, yet perfect, weeknight dinner situation.

The Weeknight Dinner Dilemma

Life is busy - dinner shouldn't be! We've all been there – juggling work, life, and the eternal question of "What's for dinner?" That's where this oven-baked salmon creation swoops in to save the day. It's quick, it's easy, and it's about to become your weeknight hero.

Ingredients (aka the Dinner Heroes):

• A huge salmon filet (seriously, thank you, Costco!)

• Potatoes (the trusty sidekick for any meal)

• Green beans (the green, crunchy stars of the show)

• Olive oil (our kitchen's version of a superhero cape)

• Lemon slices (a citrusy sidekick)

• Salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs (because every hero needs seasoning)

The Salmon Chronicles:

1. Get to Know Your Salmon: Meet your star – the huge salmon filet. Costco, you've outdone yourself. Lay that beauty on a baking sheet, ready for the oven adventure.

2. Olive Oil Magic: Drizzle olive oil on the salmon, giving it a spa treatment. Rub it in gently – we want our salmon feeling pampered.

3. Citrus Splash: Lay lemon slices on top. It's like a citrusy crown for your salmon royalty. Squeeze a bit of that lemon love for an extra burst of flavor.

4. Seasoning Ceremony: Sprinkle salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. It's the seasoning ceremony that transforms our hero into a flavor-packed delight.

5. Bake, Baby, Bake: Pop that baking sheet into the oven. While it's doing its magic, you've got time for other heroic deeds – like prepping the sidekicks.

The Mashed Potato Chronicles:

1. Boil and Mash: Potatoes – the trusty sidekick. Boil them until they're fork-tender, then mash away. Add butter and cream for that dreamy, creamy texture.

2. Season to Perfection: Salt and pepper – the dynamic duo for mashed potatoes. Don't forget to taste and adjust. We want these potatoes stealing the show!

The Green Bean Chronicles:

1. Trim and Sauté: Trim the green beans and sauté them in olive oil. Add a pinch of salt and pepper – they're ready to shine.

2. Freshness Overload: These green beans are all about that fresh, crisp vibe. Cook them until they're just tender – we're aiming for perfection.

The Dinner Ensemble

A Symphony on Your Plate:

Imagine this – a generous serving of creamy mashed potatoes, a succulent slice of oven-baked salmon with a citrusy kick, and those vibrant green beans. It's not just dinner; it's a weeknight symphony on your plate.

Weeknight Magic Unveiled

1. Quick and Easy This dinner is all about minimal effort, maximum flavor. Perfect for those nights when time is of the essence, but you refuse to compromise on taste.

2. Costco, the Dinner MVP Let's take a moment to appreciate Costco's role in making our weeknight dinner dreams come true. The huge salmon filet – a game-changer.

3. Oven-Baked Awesomeness Baking the salmon not only ensures a juicy and flavorful outcome but also frees you up to tackle other kitchen adventures.

4. Green Beans – The Fresh Factor The green beans add a vibrant touch, balancing the richness of the salmon and mashed potatoes. It's like a bite of freshness in every forkful.

5. Mashed Potatoes - Creamy Dream Creamy mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort. They're not just a side; they're a necessity for rounding out this delicious trio.

INGREDIENTS

Oven-Baked Salmon:

1 large salmon filet (sourced from Costco for that extra goodness)

Olive oil

Lemon slices

Salt and pepper

Your favorite herbs for seasoning

Creamy Mashed Potatoes:

Potatoes (enough for serving, peeled and diced)

Butter

Cream

Salt and pepper

Green Beans:

Fresh green beans (enough for serving, trimmed)

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Prepare the Salmon: Lay the large salmon filet on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over the salmon and rub it gently to coat.

Citrusy Crown: Place lemon slices on top of the salmon, and squeeze a bit of lemon juice for that citrusy kick.

Season to Perfection: Sprinkle salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs over the salmon for a flavorful seasoning.

Bake Away: Pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake the salmon until it's cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, usually around 15-20 minutes depending on the thickness of the filet.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Boil the Potatoes:

In a pot of salted water, boil the peeled and diced potatoes until they are fork-tender.

Mash It Up:

Drain the potatoes and mash them using a potato masher. Add butter and cream to achieve your desired creamy consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Green Beans:

Trim and Sauté: Trim the ends of the fresh green beans. In a pan, sauté the green beans in olive oil over medium heat. You can also use frozen or canned in a pinch!

Season to Perfection:

Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the green beans as they cook. Sauté until they are just tender, maintaining their vibrant green color.

Assemble the Feast:

• Plate Up: Arrange a generous serving of creamy mashed potatoes on each plate.

• Salmon Royalty: Place a succulent slice of the oven-baked salmon on top of the mashed potatoes.

• Green Bean Elegance: Surround the salmon and potatoes with a side of sautéed green beans.

• Garnish and Serve: Garnish the salmon with a few additional lemon slices. Serve immediately and savor the weeknight magic!

There you have it – a weeknight dinner that's simple, delicious, and practically makes itself. Oven-Baked Salmon, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans – let's celebrate the joy of easy, flavorful dinners that turn weeknights into mini feasts!

Until next recipe...