Salmon Pasta

Ingredients

• 1lb salmon
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1⁄2 tsp paprika
• 1⁄2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1⁄2 tsp red chili flakes
• 1 Tbs honey
• 1 lemon, divided
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 8oz ziti, or pasta of your choice
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1⁄2 bunch asparagus
• 1 Tbs olive oil

Creamy Garlic Sauce

• 2 Tbs butter
• 1 Tbs olive oil
• 4 garlic, finely chopped
• 1 Tbs fresh thyme, chopped
• 11⁄2 cups heavy cream (see note 1)
• 1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1⁄4 tsp red chili flakes
• 1⁄2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425° F.
2. Pat dry salmon and place it on a baking pan. Squeeze juice of half of the lemon on top and then add honey all over.
3. Mix dried parsley, onion powder, smoked paprika, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Generously spread this rub all over salmon. Drizzle 1 Tbsp olive oil on top and bake for 20-25 minutes.
4. Let it cool down and break it into large flaky chunks.
5. While salmon is baking, cook pasta as per package instructions. Drain pasta and keep it aside.
6. Heat butter and 1 Tbsp olive oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add garlic and thyme and cook for 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Add in cherry tomatoes and asparagus and sauté for a couple of minutes.
7. Reduce heat to low and add heavy cream, cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes. Cook for 5 minutes. Add in juice of remaining half lemon, along with parmesan cheese and stir till cheese is melted.
8. Toss pasta in the creamy garlic sauce until they are well coated. Add salmon to the pasta. Garnish with additional red pepper flakes and grated parmesan on top.