How to Prepare Salmon for Any Meal

If you can find salmon on sale at a discount warehouse, such as Costco, that is one item to stock up on because of its versatility in making well-rounded meals. Plus, there is the bonus health benefit of being loaded with omega-3 fatty acids (helps reduce the risk of heart disease).

If you do end buying in bulk, just make sure to keep only what you will immediately use in the fridge. The rest of the fish should be stored in the freezer (labeled with the date for your own personal reference).

All of the ideas below will call for salmon, and you can essentially prepare it the same way and make enough to last you for the meals throughout the week, which saves you time. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Create a pocket, using foil, around your piece of salmon. Before completely sealing this foil pocket, sprinkle the salmon fillet with salt, pepper and also add Italian dressing (generic, name brand - it doesn't matter). This is a quick way to add flavor, and the pocket allows the salmon to cook and steam in its own juices. The bonus is that it makes clean up a lot easier. The salmon can stay in the oven anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. Around the last 15 minutes of cooking time, open up the foil pocket a little to let air in and also to help crisp up the outside of the fish.

After removing from the oven, let your salmon cool and then you can use this piece of pre-cooked fish throughout the week for the various breakfast, lunch or dinner ideas listed below.

Breakfast Omelet: For a great jumpstart to your day, make yourself a heart healthy omelet with shredded salmon and egg whites. If you can't live without the yolks, reduce the amount of yoke content before cooking your ingredients. Just shred some of your pre-cooked salmon and put in a dish with your cracked eggs, a tablespoon of water (or milk) and some chopped chives.

Heat a skillet and allow a dab of margarine, butter or olive oil (whatever you prefer) to coat the pan (this will help you avoid having your eggs stick the pan). Then cook your egg mixture and serve with salsa or a dab of sour cream.

This is a great meal to start your day off without being overly heavy and making you feel lethargic.

Lunch Sandwich: Instead of the same old tuna, substitute the chicken of the sea, with some shredded salmon. Toast two pieces of bread (try Sara Lee's thick bread that is supposed to be for French toast). While your bread is toasting, mix shredded salmon with a little bit of mayonnaise. Spread this mixture onto your bread and add a slice of pepperjack cheese (for some spice). Then throw back into your toaster oven for just a few second to allow the cheese to melt.

Lunch Cabbage Wraps: If you're a carbohydrate-phobe, try cabbage wraps instead. All you need is some pico de gallo (lettuce, white onion, cilantro and chile diced into one big mixture) and your shredded salmon. Place this mixture into a cabbage leaf, wrap and you're good to go. If you don't like cabbage, this also is good with romaine lettuce (it's just more difficult to eat, because it doesn't "wrap" into anything like cabbage). Iceberg is okay, but it really doesn't have the same taste as cabbage or romaine.

Lunch Salad: Adding salmon to a salad is another great option for a take-to-work meal. Instead of using traditional salad dressing drizzle a little bit of teriyaki sauce onto chopped romaine lettuce and your salmon, sprinkle some sesame seeds and add some chives, and you've got a simple salad with great taste.

If the teriyaki sauce doesn't sound appealing to you, try a balsamic vinegar dressing with walnuts or sliced almonds.

BBQ Salmon Dinner: If you're not sure what to make for dinner, try this "BBQ" idea instead of heading out for fast food. With the salmon you've pre-cooked in the oven earlier that week, cut into fillet (or meal-size portions), then place on a skillet or grill to get that crispy, smoke flavor. Then just brush on a little bit of BBQ sauce (I like KC Masterpiece), and serve with corn on the cob and cubed potatoes.

The potatoes are easy. All you do is cube some potatoes, place on an oven sheet (lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup), add salt and pepper and drizzle on some olive oil. You can also add carrots to the mix as well. Then just throw in the oven until the potatoes are soft (poke with a fork).

Clean and Simple Dinner: If work has drained you of all energy, that's no problem. Just grab your pre-cooked salmon, add a dollop of sour cream, and serve with a side of spinach (good for iron). I don't do anything fancy with spinach. Once the spinach is done cooking just add a dab of butter and a sprinkle of salt, and you're good to go.