Herbed Salmon Couscous Protein Bowl
This small, gentle dinner pairs tender salmon with soft couscous and Mediterranean herbs for a high-protein, nutrient-dense meal that’s easy to finish even with low appetite on GLP-1 medications. The mild flavor, low fat load per bite, and soft texture help you get quality calories and protein without feeling overwhelmed.
Ingredients
- 220 g skinless salmon fillet — cut into 4 even pieces
- 120 g dry couscous — plain
- 250 ml low sodium vegetable broth — warmed
- 10 g extra virgin olive oil — divided
- 40 g fresh baby spinach — roughly chopped
- 6 g fresh parsley — finely chopped
- 1 g dried oregano — crumbled
- 2 g salt — fine
- 0.5 g black pepper — freshly ground optional
Instructions
- Add the couscous to a heatproof bowl with 1 g salt and half of the dried oregano, then pour the warm vegetable broth over it, cover with a plate, and let sit for 8–10 minutes to steam until soft.
- While the couscous steams, pat the salmon pieces dry and season lightly with 1 g salt, the remaining dried oregano, and black pepper if using.
- Heat a nonstick pan over medium-low heat and add half of the olive oil; place the salmon pieces in the pan and cook gently for 3–4 minutes per side until just cooked through and still very moist, then remove from heat.
- Fluff the couscous with a fork, then stir in the remaining olive oil, chopped spinach, and most of the parsley; the residual heat will gently wilt the spinach without making it tough.
- Divide the couscous mixture into two small bowls, top each with two pieces of salmon, and sprinkle with the remaining parsley.
- Let the bowls cool for a few minutes until just warm, which can make the aroma milder and easier to tolerate if your appetite is low.
Tips for GLP-1 users
If your appetite is very low, start with half a portion and focus on eating the salmon first to prioritize protein, then add small spoonfuls of couscous as tolerated.
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