Seafood twice in one week?? That’s a lot for a blog that has included seafood a grand total of like three times (total estimate) over the last few years. I am making an effort to cook it more. Variety is the spice of life, right?
You know what else is the spice of life?
Everything that goes on top of this salmon. Dijon mustard, lemon juice, seasoned breadcrumbs. Seasoned with what, you may ask? Salt, pepper, and paprika. Sooooo much flavor goin’ on here. It’s like a flavor explosion in YO MOUTH.
And then when you pair it with the most simple arugula salad in the whole world, you elevate this delicious salmon to an even higher level. If that’s possible. Which it is. Because #arugula. The simple salad is nothing but arugula and lemon dijon dressing. We couldn’t pull this off nearly as well with a green like romaine or even spinach because of their mild flavors. But arugula, on the other hand, is anything but a mild flavored green. It is bold and peppery. Don’t be scared. It is delicious.
Especially when it’s lightly dressed with a simple mixture of lemon juice, dijon, garlic, and salt/pepper. See how we pull in the lemon and dijon from the salmon? We’re so cool.
So, the perfect bite equaaaals the following:
A chunk of perfectly flaky salmon + insanely flavorful dijon crust mixed with several leaves of lightly dressed, citrus-y, garlic-y, crispy arugula. Remember in my last post how I talked about balance being important? That’s exactly what we have here. The mouthwatering balance between:
- Bright
- Tangy
- Fresh
- Hearty
- Savory
That topping on the salmon though…?. I challenge you not to scrape it off with a spoon and eat it all by itself.
I think it’s safe to say that I am still loving the 21 Day Fix! It makes you eat SUPER healthy food and challenges you to create yummy, yummy, YUMMY dishes like this and this.
I am one week in today, so I will let you know if it all starts to get old in the next two weeks. Let me tell you one thing though: the workouts are killer. I basically couldn’t move my legs last week. I walked around like I had planks of wood glued from my hips to my feet. Whew! They feel okay now, thank goodness.
In other news, my husband got promoted to 1st Lieutenant yesterday! Woop woop, yay hubbs! Too bad it happened all the way over in Oman; I would have loved to be there. But he did send me a few pictures:
He’s the taller one whose face you can (kind of) see.
FOUR more months until he’s home!! Can you believe that? We are in the final stretch now ??? SO EXCITING.
Salmon and deployment countdowns. This has been my week ?.
For you 21 Day Fix people – this recipe uses the following:
- 1 yellow container (bread)
- 1 red container (salmon)
- 2 green containers (arugula)
- 1 orange container (salad dressing)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (salad dressing is separate from this)
*The dijon and spices are “free”*
Click here to see more 21 Day Fix friendly recipes!
PrintDijon Crusted Salmon with Simple Arugula Salad [21 Day Fix]

- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Ingredients
- For the salmon:
- 1 fillet of salmon
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 slice of whole grain bread, crust cut off
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- For the arugula salad:
- 2 cups arugula, packed (2 green containers)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 clove of garlic, grated using a microplane (or very finely minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
- Season your salmon fillet with salt and pepper
- Spread the dijon mustard evenly over the top
- Pour your lemon juice as evenly as you can over the mustard and fish
- Break your slice of whole wheat bread into chunks, and place the chunks into a blender or food processor
- Blend the bread until it turns into crumbs, no chunks remain
- Season the breadcrumbs with salt and pepper. Stir in the paprika
- Sprinkle the breadcrumbs in an even layer over top of the dijon mustard (you may not need all the breadcrumbs – it depends on the size of your fillet. I had some leftover)
- Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil over the bread crumbs as evenly as possible
- Place the salmon on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10 minutes (or until your salmon is cooked to your liking)
- Meanwhile, make your dressing
- Mix all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or container (lemon juice, olive oil, salt/pepper, garlic, and dijon mustard)
- Place the arugula in a salad bowl, dress it, and toss to combine. You may not need all the dressing – it will depend on preference
- Serve the salmon and arugula salad together!
Nutrition information is for both the salmon and the arugula salad.
If you make this or any of my other recipes, be sure to Instagram it and hashtag #thegarlicdiaries!
In the mood for more yummy seafood recipes? Check these out:
Blackened Tilapia with Cucumber Avocado Salsa
So excited to make this at home! I love dijon mustard and have yet to bread some fish in it. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
★★★★★
You are so welcome, Billy!
Awesome! I really want to make it myself now. I go to buy the ingredients now. Thanks.
Denise recently posted…6 Impressive Features of Modern Day Pressure Cookers
★★★★★
I hope it works out for you, Denise!
I’m a huge salmon and arugula fan, so I know I’ll love this! Congratulations to your husband and YAY for only 4 more months! I hope it goes super fast for you :)
Keri @ Fashionable Foods recently posted…Blue Apron Review
Oh yeah, you would love this for sure! Thanks, Keri :).
The post is fantastic! I love it so much:)
Have a nice weekend!
http://www.theprintedsea.blogspot.com
Thanks, Irene!
Congrats to your hubby!
That is some perfectly cooked salmon too – dijon always goes so well with salmon.
Thanks, Dannii!