Description
Mediterranean-inspired Salmon Meatballs dance with creamy avocado sauce, blending rich flavors from ocean and garden. Delicate fish, herbs, and zesty sauce promise a quick, elegant dinner that delights and satisfies hungry palates.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) fresh salmon, skin removed and finely chopped
- 1 egg
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (or almond flour for low-carb)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Sauce and Garnish Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise for dairy-free)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)
- Fresh cilantro or parsley
- Lemon wedges
- Cooked quinoa, rice, or salad
Instructions
- Craft a uniform mixture by gently folding salmon, panko, egg, herbs, seasonings, and condiments in a spacious mixing vessel until ingredients integrate harmoniously.
- Tenderly mold the salmon blend into compact, uniform spheres approximately one inch in diameter, ensuring consistent sizing for even cooking.
- Arrange the delicate salmon orbs on a parchment-lined baking surface, allowing slight separation between each meatball.
- Position the prepared tray in a preheated oven calibrated to 400°F (200°C), creating an environment for golden, crisp exterior development.
- Monitor the salmon spheres during 12-15 minutes of roasting, watching for firm texture and light caramelization around edges.
- While meatballs transform, construct a velvety avocado emulsion by combining ripe avocado, tangy yogurt, zesty lime essence, aromatic garlic, and nuanced seasonings in a high-powered blending apparatus.
- Pulse the sauce components until achieving a silky, homogeneous consistency, adjusting liquid volume for desired thickness.
- Transfer roasted salmon meatballs onto a serving platform, generously adorning with the creamy avocado elixir.
- Embellish the dish with delicate herb sprinklings and citrus segments, presenting an elegant, vibrant culinary composition.
- Present atop a complementary base of quinoa, steamed grains, or crisp salad greens for a complete, nourishing meal.
Notes
- Chill the salmon mixture for 15-20 minutes before shaping meatballs to help them hold together better and prevent crumbling during baking.
- Use fresh salmon and remove skin and bones completely for smoother texture and more consistent meatball formation.
- For gluten-free option, replace panko with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to maintain binding and crispy exterior.
- If watching calories, swap Greek yogurt with low-fat version or use plant-based yogurt alternative in avocado sauce for lighter preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer.
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg