Foil Baked Salmon

One of our favorite ways to cook salmon is this easy foil baked salmon recipe, perfect for the BBQ or the oven, and due to it's popularity (combined with its exceptional health benefits), we were asked if we would reprint the recipe.

Our fast and easy recipe for BBQ or foil baked Salmon is not only rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which are proven to be heart-healthy but also Vitamin D, often referred to as the sunshine vitamin. Many studies have been conducted substantiating the health benefits of both Omega 3 and Vitamin D to the human body.

We are all aware that salmon is high in Omega 3 (more on Omega 3 in future blogs) but not many of us know that salmon is also high in Vitamin D. The Canadian Cancer Society recommends Canadians consume 1,000 IU of vitamin D every day (1 glass of milk contains 100 IU whereas 3.5 oz or 100 gm of cooked salmon contains 360 IU of vitamin D).What is vitamin D and why do you need it? Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, thereby making bones stronger. A Vitamin D deficiency in children can cause rickets, a bone disease that causes skeletal deformities and soft bones. In adults a vitamin D deficiency can cause osteoporosis which leads to decreased bone mass and tissue and increased risk of bone fractures and breaks, especially as we get older. Although vitamin D is absorbed naturally by the human body through exposure to the sun's rays, long winters in northern climates make it difficult to maintain adequate levels naturally as the sun's rays are not strong enough through the winter months (however we must be careful as increased sun exposure also leads to other critical health issues such as melanoma and other skin cancers). Certain foods such as cow's milk which are fortified with vitamin D, fatty fish such as salmon and herring, and multivitamins can help boost the body's vitamin D levels.

Try this fast and easy, great tasting BBQ Foil baked Salmon Recipe and do something wonderful for your body and your taste buds!!

BBQ Foil Baked Salmon
4-6 oz portions of Salmon, skin on (120-180 gm portions)
5-6 sprigs fresh dill
1 whole lemon, sliced
freshly ground pepper, to taste
Heavy duty foil

With an olive oil sprayer, grease a piece of foil large enough to make a foil packet. Place the salmon pieces, skin side down, on the foil. Season with pepper to taste. Place 5 or 6 sprigs of fresh dill (depending on the size of your salmon) and cover with lemon slices. Lightly seal packet. BBQ on medium heat 8 minutes or until salmon reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F (salmon will continue to cook and meat temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees after you remove it from the grill). Carefully open the foil packet and remove the salmon with a lifter (the skin will stick to the foil, making it much easier to lift the salmon off the skin).Serve immediately with salad and rice.

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