Salmon is Maddox’s favorite, and when my kids like something that is healthy for them, I make a point to incorporate it into our routine. One problem. Maddox likes things plainer than plain–no sauce, no seasoning, sometimes no salt. That can get monotonous for adult taste buds. Sometimes I try to slip in a tiny bit of flavor and hope he doesn’t notice. (Though, he usually does.) Here is a flavor I added the last time we had salmon.

I like to layer my flavors into my meals for two reasons. First, the flavors of the main dish and sides will compliment each other. And secondly, I like to be efficient. If something can do double duty, I’m happy. This dressing makes me happy. It works as both a salad dressing and a sauce.

I started with olive oil.

Then honey. If you use the same spoon you just used with the oil, it slides right out. You can see how easily it’s sliding off the spoon in the picture.

Next thick grainy mustard.

Now the star of the dinner balsamic vinegar.

Oh, the garlic. We love garlic in my house. We don’t even mind tasting it for the rest of the night. If you do mind, you could back it down a bit.

And lastly, some parsley and salt and pepper.

Now whisk it, whisk it real good. (Almost broke into an 80’s song there.)

And the finished product.

I spooned a little onto the salmon and saved the rest for the salad.

You can barely tell there’s seasoning on it! That’s good for the picky eaters in your life

Jamie and I loved it. Mia seemed to like it. Maddox said he liked it okay, but it tasted different than it usually does. I guess the search for the perfect all-family-member-pleasing salmon sauce is still on.

Ingredients

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp mustard

2 tsp balsamic vinegar

1-3 cloves of garlic

pinch of chopped parsley

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Whisk all ingredients together. Enjoy!