Sometimes keeping it simple is the best way.

Hot smoked salmon is something many enjoy here in Finland daily or weekly. It is healthy and delicious. Hot smoked salmon is smoked above 49 C / 120 F degrees, while cold smoked salmon is smoked in less than 30 C / 90 F degrees.

This dish is perfect for a healthy lunch. You get omega-3 from the salmon. Omega-3 fats are considered “essential,” which means you must get them from your diet since your body cannot create them. If you consume walnuts, soybeans, spinach or chia seeds, you will get some amount of omega-3, but not as much as from salmon.

All my recipes are for 2 servings!

• 11 oz (310 g) hot smoked salmon fillet
• 4-6 tbsp frozen, cooked peas
• 4-6 cherry tomatoes
• 14 lemon balm leaves
• 6-8 slices of pickled cucumber (or use fresh cucumber)
• 2-4 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried dill
• Optional: 1/2 tsp dried basil

How to prepare:

Cook the frozen peas in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Cut the smoked salmon fillet in half. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half.

Divide the salmon and the tomatoes between two plates. Add pickled cucumber slices on each plate. Season the salmon with lemon juice and dried dill. Drain the peas and divide them between the plates. Garnish with lemon balm leaves. If you have dried basil, sprinkle some on the tomatoes.

If you are very hungry or need a lot of energy during the day, add one cooked potato and/or one cooked carrot, and consume more peas. (Peas are a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins C and E, and also zinc.)