Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate the people in your life who occupy your heart. This day is also observed in February during American Heart Month, a time when we are reminded of the importance of taking care of our heart health. With COVID-19 protocols in place across the country, your Valentine’s Day might consist of a cooked meal at home. Make the menu even more special by including delicious heart-healthy dishes as part of the meal, such as the recipe below.
New World Salmon Florentine
This casserole uses chunks of fresh salmon with a lot of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It also has real cheese for flavor. Don't use low-fat Swiss cheese—it won't melt correctly.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups flaked cooked salmon fillet (about 12 ounces)
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, washed and chopped
- 2 cups cooked tricolor chunky pasta
- 2 stalks celery, sliced thin
- 1-1/2 cups skim milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 ounces shredded Gruyere cheese (about 3/4 cup), divided
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomato pieces, chopped (not oil-packed)
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine salmon, spinach, celery, and pasta in an ovenproof baking dish.
Heat milk in a small saucepan; don't let it boil. Stir in mustard and half of the Gruyere cheese until it melts. Add sun-dried tomatoes and fennel seeds. Let cook for a few minutes until tomatoes are softened.
Pour sauce over the salmon mixture. Top with remaining Gruyere cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
SERVES 4
Each serving contains about 400 calories, 31 g protein, 16.5 g fat, 68 mg cholesterol, 29.5 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, and 611 mg sodium.
