Serves 4:

Ingredients:

4 lightly smoked salmon fillets (approx 150grams each)

2-3 sprigs rosemary chopped in half

400 gram tin of green lentils drained and washed

*(or 225 grams puy lentils cooked in 600mls of vegetable stock for 15-20 minutes and drained)

1 large red onion sliced finely

2 tablespoonfuls of balsamic vinegar

250 grams baby plum tomatoes, cut in half

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Handful of washed, chopped flat leaf parsley (or 1/2 packet of a supermarket portion)

100 grams baby spinach

1 tablespoonful of Virgin olive oil

Method:

1. Steam or poach the salmon in lightly boiling water for 4-5 minutes until opaque throughout. If using a steamer, season the salmon with lightly ground pepper and add a sprig of rosemary, before cooking..
2. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan. Add the onion and cook for 5-6 minutes until beginning to soften but do not allow to go brown.
3. Add the balsamic vinegar, tomatoes and lentils (cooked lentils if using puy lentils) and stir well. Stir in the lemon juice, parsley and spinach. Season to taste with freshly ground pepper . You do not require salt as it is a smoked salmon.
4. Spoon onto 4 plates and serve topped with the salmon fillets. Serve immediately alone or a small portion of black or wild rice if need be.

Nutritional tips:

Salmon is a rich source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids – EPA and DHA. It is also rich in calcium, iodine, vitamin D, E and vitamin B12. Smoked salmon is higher in salt than fresh salmon so you do  not to add more during cooking or at table.

The dish is higher in calories because there is additional  good quality fat in oily fish such as salmon, when compared to white fish.

When you add a generous portion of pulses as well, you are really packing in lots more low fat protein with oodles of soluble fibre. Pulses are starchy carbohydrates and as such are more filling. They are however of low glycaemic index composition and are digested slowly resulting in improved satiety for longer. For this reason you may not require additional starchy accompaniments to this meal.