Salmon in Sesame-Mustard Marinade and Spiced Sweet Potatoes and Apples

I concocted a sesame-mustard marinade and used it on salmon last week combining it with spiced sauteed sweet potatoes and apples and baby spinach for a full meal. The cooked salmon ends up moist and flaky with a tangy flavor thanks to the mustard and apple cider vinegar, a hint of sweetness from the cooked onions and a little decadence from the sesame oil's richness.

It was perfect over a bed of plain baby spinach, which didn't need dressing thanks to the marinade. I just scooped up a leaf or two with each bite. Inspired by the sesame oil I spiced the sweet potatoes and apples prominently with Five Spice Seasoning, which is very pungent with what I assume is star anise. If you don't like hints of licorice skip this stuff. I found it nice in combination with the salmon but definitely won't be using it a lot. Unique flavors are good, licorice can be tasty and yet I'm just not that into it.

If you try this, my only caveat is make the amount of salmon you want to eat. It did not reheat very well for lunch the next day!

Salmon with Sesame-Mustard Marinade
Inspired by this Mustard, Onion, and Maple Salad Dressing Recipe

Ingredients
10-12 oz. Salmon (Ideally Wild Alaskan or like; I used frozen from Trader Joe's and defrosted it.)
.5 tbsp Sesame Oil
2 tbsp Olive Oil
1.5 tbsp Dijon Mustard
3 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 Red Onion, diced

Directions
Combine the above ingredients, except the salmon in a small bowl, whisking to combine. Place the marinade and salmon in a ziplock bag or container. Let marinate for 20-30 minutes, occasionally flipping/moving around in the marinade to make sure the salmon soaks it up all over, while preheating the oven to 425 degrees. Pour the salmon and marinade into an oven-proof pan and cook for approximately 15 minutes or until flaky.

Spiced Sweet Potatoes and Apples

Ingredients
2 apples, peeled, cored and cubed
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Chinese Five Spice Powder
Cinnamon
Salt

Olive Oil (and the tiniest sliver of butter if you'd like)
Water

Directions (Rough Ones)
Peel and cube the sweet potatoes. Heat the pan (with a lid) over medium-high heat once hot add a bit of oil and a tablespoon of water. Add the sweet potatoes sprinkle on salt, cinnamon and five spice powder. Flip so they are all coated in the olive oil/water combo and cover for 3-4 minutes. Peel and cube the apples. Remove the lid from the pan add a touch more of everything and saute for another 3-4 minutes. Eat.