CK'S KITCHEN: Air fryer salmon makes a quick yet tasty meal

Rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fats, salmon is one of my favorite fishes to devour from the saltwater sea. Normally I throw my wild-caught filets on the backyard grill or the grill pan so I found this air fryer cooking method especially appealing. I know my pregnant and vegan daughter would appreciate the fish smell being mostly contained to the small countertop appliance as well. The best part about this recipe is all I had to do was defrost the filets! For once, I had all the ingredients in house, which was a delicious element in and of itself! Quick prep When you start your prep, don't rinse the salmon filets with water, according to Lisa Bryan, creator of Downshiftology, a healthy cooking and travel website. The federal Food and Drug Administration recommends not to wash raw fish, or raw chicken, as it can increase the risk of contamination by accidentally spreading onto other surfaces in your kitchen. So simply pat it dry and spread on the Dijon and sprinkle on the spices while the air fryer heats up. I loved that this recipe encouraged generously applying the garlic powder and paprika without worry of exact measurements. After only minutes of prep, I tucked the salmon into the fryer and busied myself with the side dishes of potatoes and fresh salad for this fancy and fast weeknight dinner for me and beau. Whine and dine More words of wisdom: since all air fryers cook differently — some hotter, some lower than others — make sure to check on the salmon. The recipe writer suggests checking at eight minutes but if you're like me and you prefer your salmon less done, I would check at five minutes. At eight minutes, I found our fish overcooked and disappointing. That's perhaps the one drawback of cooking it in an air fryer. It's so easy to tell when the fish is done in a hands-on method. I complained about the fish being dry and overdone but my boyfriend loved it and didn't seem to share my critique. The Dijon punches quite the flavor but it balances well with the rich fish and other spices. I will definitely make this again because the seasoning and easy cleanup were on point, but I will adjust the temps and time for medium rare-medium finish! Contact Chrissy Kadleck at ckadleck@sbcglobal.net. Air fryer salmon (in 15 minutes!) 4 (6-ounce) salmon filets 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Olive oil spray 1. Prep the salmon. Set the air fryer to 400℉ (200℃). Pat your salmon filets dry with a paper towel. 2. Add the mustard. On each salmon filet, spread one teaspoon of mustard evenly in a thin layer. 3. Add the seasonings. Sprinkle each of the individual spices straight onto the salmon filet. It doesn't have to be an exact measurement. I start with salt and pepper, then coat generously with garlic powder and paprika. Finish with a quick spray of olive oil on top to keep the salmon filet moist. 4. Air fry. Add two salmon filets to the air fryer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until flaky with a fork. Then repeat with the remaining two salmon filets. Makes 4 servings Nutrition facts: Calories: 250; Carbohydrates: 1g; Protein: 34g; Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 94mg; Sodium: 449mg; Potassium: 866mg; Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 320iu; Vitamin C: 1mg; Calcium: 28mg; Iron: 2mg Source: Downshiftology.com