Oven Grilled Maple-Soy-Sesame Salmon & Asparagus

Succulent, moist and enormously flavourful, Salmon is also one of the most nutrient rich and versatile fish around. It's also one of the healthiest. Low in saturated fat and calories, but high in protein and heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids, Salmon is a near perfect food — in my mind anyway. One of my favourite marinades features pure Canadian maple syrup, a natural sweetener that is more nutritious and healthier than sugar, plus Tamari, which has a richer, smoother, more complex flavour than ordinary soy sauce, and fragrant nutty sesame oil. Sprinkled with a flurry of sesame seeds before grilling or baking with a bunch of trimmed asparagus, this is a dish I could happily eat every day of the week.

Grilled Salmon with Maple Syrup, Soy and Sesame Oil Marinade

Serves 2

4 6-oz salmon fillets, preferably with skin on

2 tbsp Canadian maple syrup

1 tbsp Tamari soy sauce 

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp sesame seeds, for garnish

1 bunch of asparagus, with ends trimmed

Combine the maple syrup, soy sauce and sesame oil in a small baking dish, then add the salmon, turning it well in the marinade, then set skin side down and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. 

About 15 minutes before you’re ready to grill, remove the salmon from the fridge to let it come to room temperature. Lay the asparagus on plate and toss  with a little olive oil and season with Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. 

To cook the salmon indoors, place the salmon and asparagus on a foil lined baking sheet and bake in a pre-heated 400°F oven for 15-18 minutes, until the salmon and asparagus are just cooked through. 

To grill the salmon outdoors, preheat the barbecue to medium-high and cook the salmon, skin side down along with the asparagus for  8 to 10 minutes, or to your preference. To serve, transfer the asparagus to warmed dinner plates, top with the salmon and drizzle with extra marinade if desired.