If you’ve been following me over on Instagram, then you know that I was fortunate enough to receive some Verlasso salmon in the mail this week*. I love salmon and was curious about how theirs would compare in taste and flavor to what I am used to. And I was intrigued by their sustainability story. But my husband is not much of a salmon fan. So this was going to be a true test of our relationship – because let’s face it - no one wants to be the ‘coworker cooking fish in the office kitchen’ which, given the current work-from-home situation, our kitchen has become.

Well, let me tell you, it did not disappoint and there were no complaints filed with HR. So, without further ado, here are 3 reasons I am loving this salmon right now and a simple recipe for a poke bowl you can make with a couple key ingredients from your fridge and pantry.

1. It tastes great and is less ‘fishy’

First and foremost, how does it taste? It has a very mild, clean taste and needed very little if any seasoning. I had it both raw and cooked and both preparations felt buttery in my mouth with thick, firm flakes of fish. I prepped and cooked this salmon while my husband, who is not a salmon lover and hates the smell of fish that lingers long after a meal is complete, was in the room adjacent to the kitchen. He even noted that he was not offended by the smell. Visually speaking the salmon is stunning with a beautiful rich color. I would definitely rate this salmon as some of the best tasting, smelling, and looking that I have ever had.

2. It is a high quality, responsibly raised, sustainable protein

Verlasso takes many steps to ensure that its salmon is responsibly raised and sustainable in order to provide a high quality, nutrient rich protein source for its consumers. The fish thrive in the clear waters of Patagonia far from cities, villages, and other industries. They are fed a nutrient rich diet that translates to nutrient rich fish. The fish are never given hormones or antibiotics and the farmers work closely with the local communities to reduce environmental impact with proven innovative sustainable farming techniques. The fish are kept in low-stress pens that protect them from potential predators and to protect the natural environment surrounding them. They have plenty of room to swim and grow and are harvested without brutality.

I also noticed when my salmon arrived that each piece had a tag on it with a QR code. You can literally trace your fish back to the egg. Curious how the salmon goes from an egg to harvest and then to your table? Check out this video series Verlasso did with Chef Andrew Zimmern.

3. It gives you more nutritional bang for your calorie buck (i.e., it is nutrient-rich)

I think we can all agree that we are living in unprecedented times. Our bodies crave comforting foods that truly nourish. And while we may not always feel like eating them, we also need to consume nutrient rich foods (like fruits, vegetables and salmon) to help support our immune system so that it can operate at its best – especially if it is called upon to defend against a common cold, the flu, seasonal allergies or even the coronavirus.

In addition to protein, salmon contains important nutrients like the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin D and selenium that all work to help support the body’s immune system. But I want to be clear: eating more salmon will NOT prevent you from getting the virus. Unfortunately, there is no magic food or pill that is going to protect you from the coronavirus. But the nutrients found in salmon may help keep your immune system functioning at an optimal level—as will frequently washing your hands, maintaining good overall nutrition (which means getting enough-but not too many-calories, and including lots of fruits and vegetables), staying active, getting adequate sleep and managing stress. Let’s dive a bit deeper on the nutrients that salmon provides and the role they play in supporting our immune system and overall health:

Protein is a key building block for immune cells and antibodies and plays a crucial role in helping our immune system do what it is supposed to. A 4 oz portion of salmon provides 23 grams of high-quality protein^.
Omega-3s, specifically EPA and DHA, have loads of proven health benefits from helping reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, to brain and eye health benefits. The body needs EPA and DHA to develop and function optimally in every stage of life. With regards to immune health, the research surrounding EPA and DHA’s supporting role is still mounting but suggests they may contribute positively. Governments and scientific bodies recommend consuming between 250 and 500 mg of EPA and DHA per day for overall health. A 4 to 6 oz portion of salmon consumed twice/week would adequately meet these needs^.
Vitamin D plays a number of critical roles in the body. It is especially important for immune system health as it has both anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties crucial for activating your immune system’s defenses. Additionally, vitamin D may enhance the function of our immune cells that help protect our body against pathogens. A 4-oz serving of salmon provides well over ½ of the recommended daily value for vitamin D^.
Selenium is an essential trace mineral and antioxidant. It helps lower oxidative stress in your body, reducing inflammation and supports optimal function of the immune system. Each 4-oz serving of salmon provides over half of your daily requirement of selenium^.

Current dietary guidelines recommend consuming fish – especially fatty fish like salmon – at least twice a week. I encourage that or more with my clients – especially endurance athletes given the anti-inflammatory properties provided by the omega 3s contained in salmon which may help reduce muscle soreness post workout and enhance recovery.

Bottom line, this salmon is not only delicious, nutritious, and sustainable, but a great way to support your overall health during these crazy times. If the above reasons have you intrigued, then consider checking them out and placing an order today! And once you receive your salmon, do not hesitate to make my poke bowl recipe included below. It really lets the quality of this salmon shine and hits the spot when you can’t make it to your favorite sushi or poke place. Enjoy!

*Disclosure: Verlasso provided me with salmon and I have received compensation for writing this post

^Nutrition information obtained from: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. fdc.nal.usda.gov. Products FDC ID: 175167 and 173686; NDB Number:15236 and 15076 (took the average)

Recipe: Simple Salmon ‘Poke’ Bowl

Serves 2

Main Ingredient:

10-12 oz of fresh Verlasso salmon, skin removed and cut into cubes

Quick Marinade:

2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp minced garlic
1 large scallion/green onion, ends removed and chopped
Dash of ground ginger or ~1 tsp grated fresh ginger if you have it (optional)

To Assemble (all of these are optional, and you can use whatever veggies you like – these are just some of my favorite and that we had on hand):

½ cup cooked Farro (or other leftover whole grain like brown rice, barley, quinoa, etc.), cooled
½ medium cucumber, diced
½ cup mukamame (shelled edamame)
½ avocado, diced
1 large radish cut into thin strips
1 small carrot, peeled and shredded
1 small jalapeno, diced (remove seeds if desire less spicy)
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions:

Cook farro according to package instructions and let cool.
About 30 minutes prior to eating, mix soy sauce, oil, vinegar, garlic, green onion, and ginger. Add salmon and allow to marinate in the fridge until ready to use.
Assemble bowl by dividing up ingredients into two bowls. Top with salmon. Add additional soy sauce, rice wine vinegar or dash of hot sauce if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information: 494 calories, 44 g protein, 17 g fat, 40 g carbohydrate

3 Reasons you Need to Try this Salmon Right Now + a Recipe for Poke Bowls