10-Minute Smoked Salmon Baked Potatoes

These ultra-easy 10-Minute Smoked Salmon Baked Potatoes are a lighter alternative to traditional calorie and fat laden loaded baked potatoes.  

I don’t know about you, but for me, last week was absolute MAYHEM. Aside from the fact that both Mr. EN and I had something (meetings, a retirement party, a work obligation) on our calendars EVERY night of the week, we had to replace my broken computer (Good riddance Dell All- In-One), re-landscape our yard, and put in a vegetable garden…for the third (please don’t ask why) time. What were we thinking ?!?

Honestly, a few days ago I literally had just 10 minutes to put a healthy dinner on the table. What to do…what to do…?  Bingo! Smoked Salmon Baked Potatoes.

Why these are a fairly healthy choice:

• Seafood Rules! The United States 2015 Dietary Guidelines recommend that adults eat at least 8 ounces a week of seafood, including fish and shellfish. An easier way to think about this recommendation is to eat seafood at least twice a week. That’s because fish, especially fatty fish like salmon, anchovies, herring, shad, sardines, Pacific oysters, trout, and Atlantic and Pacific mackerel, are low in saturated fat (the kind that clogs our arteries) and high in Omega-3-fats which help keep our arteries flexible and our hearts healthy. And, fish that comes already cooked, like the smoked salmon in this recipe? I’M IN!  For this recipe I used Echo Falls Hot Smoked, Pepper-Flavored Salmon.  Health Note: The one drawback with already cooked, cold or hot smoked salmon, is that it’s high in sodium. This meal for us is an occasional meal, for when we’re really in a hurry. You can make this recipe much lower in sodium by using leftover cooked salmon, from a previous night’s dinner, which is far lower in sodium.
• Potatoes are NOT bad for you. Personally, I’m tired of potatoes getting a bad rap. White, yellow, orange, red, purple…I love them all. And, they’re good for you! One medium baked potato has about 110 calories and is almost entirely fat, sodium, and cholesterol free. Plus, that same medium-size potato contains more potassium than a banana, and is an excellent source of Vitamins C and B6. So, if you love potatoes like I do, I give you my explicit permission to lose the carbs-are-bad-for-you guilt and enjoy them; just watch the high-cal toppings and the cooking method (frying = ☹ = once in a while).
• Greek yogurt is worth trying. Plain low-fat Greek yogurt is low-in calorie, and high in protein and calcium which we all need for strong muscles and bones. If you don’t have yogurt – or if you don’t like it – you can replace it with sour cream (Mr. EN did.) Just know – full disclosure here –  that if you do swap sour cream for plain Greek yogurt it’s not an even swap nutritionally speaking. The Greek yogurt is the healthier choice, hands down.
• Fresh dill adds flavor. Fresh dill, like all fresh herbs, provides tons of flavor and is very low in calories, sodium-free, and contains cancer-fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals. If you don’t have dill (fresh or dried) it’s not a deal-breaker for this recipe; just add some extra chives or green onion.

Have you had an extra busy week? Are you looking for a 10-minute meal? Try these 10-Minute Smoked Salmon Baked Potatoes. Add a quick green salad made with already washed greens and a small (or medium-size depending on your day)  glass of Chardonnay, and presto – you’ve got dinner!

Peace, love, and good eats; from our Empty Nest to yours.

Trending this week in the ENE kitchen: Echo Falls, Hot Smoked Salmon, Pepper-Flavored, purchased at our local Meijer Store – https://www.meijer.com/product/grocery/seafood/fish/echo-falls-pepper-hot-smoked-coho-4-oz/t1/t1-865/t2/t2-10125/t3/t3-815/4831302803.uts