Baked Salmon with Kale Pesto

Baking salmon with kale pesto is a wonderfully forgiving way to cook salmon. Spreading a coating of pesto over the salmon before baking ensures the fish will be moist, beautiful and full of flavor every time. Salmon is a very healthy fish choice for its healthy fats. I use homemade kale pesto for an even bigger nutrition boost - any pesto will work.

One of the best parts about my oldest son starting kindergarten is meeting other families in our neighborhood. His school is about a mile from our home. On days when weather and commitments allow, I like to do the after school pick-up on foot.

A few weeks into the school year we discovered one of my son's classmates lives about half way between our house and the school and also walks on nice days. When our schedules match we walk as far as their house together. The kids scamper ahead while we parents hang back to chat, pausing frequently to holler for the kids to wait at the corner.

On a recent walk home I mentioned admiring a recipe video published by a blogging colleague and friend, Diana of Eating Richly, featuring her two-year-old son preparing baked salmon with pesto. "Oh! Says my new friend. My husband saw that and I made it the other night." She went on to describe making a quick pesto with kale and walnuts then following the cooking method Diana shares in the video. (Watch the video - her son is a doll!)

I loved the idea of making pesto with kale and walnuts to pair with baked salmon. I knew my kids would gobble up the salmon; they love fish. And, I was pretty sure they would tolerate baked salmon with kale pesto (aka a mysterious green topping). Fortunately, I was correct on both accounts. The salmon was a hit though my savvy kindergartner proceeded cautiously at first when he saw the kale pesto and flat out refused to eat the strings of squash masquerading as noodles - it was a stretch to serve two new-ish foods in one meal.

I am thankful for such creative friends - especially when their ideas help put a quick, easy, and nutritious dinner on the table the whole family will enjoy.

Baked Salmon with Kale Pesto

Rose McAvoy

A wonderfully forgiving way to cook salmon. A coating of pesto over the baked salmon ensures the fish will be moist, beautiful and full of flavor every time. Lightly adapted from Three Ingredient Easy Salmon Recipe by Diana of Eating Richly

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Course Entree, Seafood

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 210 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb 4 portions of fresh salmon, sockeye recommended
• 4 tablespoon Kale-Walnut Pesto

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 400F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the salmon portions on the parchment skin side down. Spread pesto evenly over each portion of fish then bake 10-12 minutes until the fish is tender and flaky.
• Let the fish rest a minute or two before serving hot.

More Great Baked Salmon Recipes

Sesame Hoisin Baked Salmon from Alyssa of Everyday Maven

Wild Salmon with CousCous and Roasted Asparagus by Megan of Country Cleaver

Three Ingredient Easy Salmon by Diana of Eating Richly