Smoked Paprika Rubbed Salmon

Okay, I have a new obsession.  True Blood.  I love it.  I can't get enough of it.  And I'm thankful that Netflix has consistently been delivering Season 2 to my mailbox for the past week or so.  Just sayin'.

Remember all that salmon we got a few weeks ago?  And the promise of me posting salmon recipes?  Yeah, I know.  I've slacked.  I haven't posted any since we got the salmon.  That doesn't mean we haven't cooked it.  Boy have we been eating salmon!  I've just gotten caught up with all the other things going on, that those recipes weren't in the spotlight to post.  Just yet, anyway.

But this baby.  This was great.  This... was my very UN-Superbowl-themed dinner that we had on Sunday.  Instead of gorging on wings, dips, and all those other Superbowl-related artery-clogging goodies... I settled (well, preferred) to have this beautiful (and slightly healthier!) salmon.

Ingredients:
Adapted from Mccormick's website

Juice and zest from 1 minneola orange
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
3 6 oz. salmon fillets
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon hot smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cinnamon
salt and pepper, to taste

In a small bowl, combine orange juice, olive oil, and thyme.  Place salmon fillets in plastic Ziploc bag and carefully pour in marinade.  Seal tightly, getting rid of as much air as possible from the bag.  Let sit in fridge for about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 F.

In another small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and orange zest.

Remove salmon from bags and place on foil lined baking sheet.  Rub paprika mixture atop salmon and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until salmon is pink throughout. 

We served this salmon with some freshly sauteed spinach, corn, & carrots.  It was a match made in heaven.  There was a great contrast of sweetness from the brown sugar and a little kick of spice with the hot paprika.  Definitely a great flavor! 

I chose the healthy route on such a gluttonous day, but only because I was too lazy to make anything too crazy.  This is definitely one of those quick weeknight dinners that will make you feel good about yourself afterwards!  Enjoy guys!