Sesame miso salmon with mushrooms and bok choy

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250 mL) long-grain brown rice, rinsed
• 1-¾ cups (425 mL) reduced sodium chicken broth 
• 2 tsp (10 mL) sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp (15 mL) miso paste
• 2 Tbsp (30 mL) reduced sodium soy sauce
• 2 tsp (10 mL) brown sugar or maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp (15 mL) rice vinegar
• 2 Tbsp (30 mL) water
• 1 tsp (5 mL) grated fresh ginger
• 1 lb./454 g salmon, skin removed and cut into 1.5-inch by 1.5-inch cubes
• 1 lb./454 g large cremini mushrooms, cut in half (about 4 cups)
• 1 lb./454 g baby Bok choy, cut in half (about 4 cups)
• 5 Tbsp (75 mL) raw sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Add rice and broth to a medium sized pot; cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook until all the water is absorbed, about 40-45 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork, cover and set aside. 
2. Preheat oven to 400°F.
3. Combine sesame oil, miso paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, water and ginger. Remove 2 Tbsp (30 mL) of the mixture and place in a baking dish. Toss with salmon cubes and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to marinate. Set remaining mixture aside to drizzle over finished dish.
4. While salmon marinates, clean and prepare the cremini mushrooms and Bok choy and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes as you prepare the salmon.
5. Place sesame seeds on a large, flat plate. Roll each of the marinated salmon pieces in the seeds, pressing to ensure they stick. Discard any remaining marinade. Add coated salmon pieces to baking sheet and bake along with the vegetables for another 10 minutes.
6. Remove salmon and vegetables from the oven. Divide veggies, salmon and rice evenly onto four plates and drizzle with remaining marinade mixture.  

• Cooking know-how: Miso paste is often found in grocery stores near the soy sauce or next to the fresh sushi area of your local grocer. Asian grocery stores also carry it.
• Food safety: Never use leftover marinade that has touched raw meat or fish. Discard leftover marinade and do not use on cooked food.
• Nutrition know-how: Increasing healthy fats in our diet can help protect against heart disease. This recipe provides healthy omega-3 fats found in salmon.
• Substitution: Frozen fish works well in this recipe and is often more affordable. Simply thaw and continue recipe as directed.