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Citrus Salmon with Macadamia Cauliflower Rice

Looking for a show-stopping healthy dinner? This Smoky Citrus Salmon is infused with bold, bright flavor and baked to perfection in the oven — no grill needed! Paired with a zesty Macadamia Cauliflower Rice, it’s a protein-packed, clean-eating favorite you’ll want to make again and again.

Serving size

Seafood

30g Protein

Detox

Ingredients

For the Salmon:

Fresh:

2 wild-caught salmon fillets (5–6 oz each), skin on

1 orange, zested and juiced

1 garlic clove, grated

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Staple:

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon tamari or coconut aminos

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon salt (to taste; using Natural Redmond Real Salt)

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

For the Cauliflower Rice:

Fresh:

2½ cups cauliflower rice (fresh or thawed frozen)

1 garlic clove, minced

1 scallion, thinly sliced

Zest and juice of ½ lime

2 tablespoons macadamia nuts, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped

Staple:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon salt (to taste; using Natural Redmond Real Salt)

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

_{Wild-caught organic seafood and organic non-gmo veggies are linked where available}

Serving size

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Preheat & Prep (5 minutes):

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Pat salmon dry and place skin-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Make the Smoky Citrus Glaze (3 minutes):

3. In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice and zest, maple syrup, Dijon, tamari, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Glaze & Bake the Salmon (12–15 minutes):

4. Spoon glaze generously over salmon fillets.

5. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork. Thicker fillets may need up to 17 minutes.

Make the Macadamia Cauliflower Rice (10 minutes):

6. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

7. Sauté garlic and scallions for 1 minute.

8. Add cauliflower rice, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until tender.

9. Stir in lime zest and juice, chopped macadamia nuts, and cilantro. Remove from heat.

Plate & Serve (2 minutes):

10. Spoon macadamia cauliflower rice onto plates and top with glazed salmon.

11. Garnish with fresh parsley and an extra squeeze of lime if desired.

Recipe Notes:

If your cauliflower rice is fresh, it may cook faster—taste test for doneness.

Macadamia nuts give this dish a buttery crunch, but you could swap in cashews or pistachios if needed.

This dish pairs well with a simple arugula salad dressed in olive oil and lemon.

Total Macros:

Protein: 36g

Carbs: 16g

Fat: 28g

Calories: 430 kcal

Nutrition Facts:

🧡 Salmon – Omega-3 Superstar

Wild-caught salmon is loaded with EPA and DHA, the most bioavailable forms of omega-3 fatty acids. These support brain function, reduce inflammation, and promote heart health.

🧠 Bonus fact: Omega-3s can improve mood and focus—yes, salmon is a brain food!

🍊 Oranges – Not Just for Vitamin C

Orange zest and juice pack in flavonoids like hesperidin, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. The zest is particularly high in limonene, a citrus compound studied for immune and digestive support.

✨ Fun tip: Zest has up to 5x more antioxidants than juice!

🧄 Garlic – Nature’s Antibiotic

Garlic contains allicin, a compound that supports immune health, lowers blood pressure, and may help fight off viruses.

💥 Did you know? Crushing or grating garlic activates allicin—let it sit a minute before cooking for max benefit.

🌰 Macadamia Nuts – Good Fats, Great Crunch

Macadamias are rich in monounsaturated fats (like those in olive oil) and contain rare omega-7s, which may help regulate metabolism and blood sugar.

🧈 Surprise bonus: They're also a good source of manganese, a mineral that supports bone health and collagen production.

🥦 Cauliflower – The Detox Veggie

This cruciferous veggie is high in glucosinolates, compounds that help activate your liver’s detox pathways.

💚 Extra credit: Cauliflower also supplies vitamin C, fiber, and brain-protective choline.

🌿 Cilantro – Heavy Metal Detoxer

Cilantro isn’t just a garnish—it’s a potent chelator! It may help the body bind and eliminate heavy metals like lead and mercury.