Omega-3 rich salmon may help improve brain development in babies

Tag : Split Ginger
By JILL WENDHOLT SILVA McClatchy Newspapers

For a smart baby, eat more fish.
Although fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, are rich inheart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, in recent years the governmenthas warned pregnant women to restrict their intake to avoidexposure to high levels of mercury.
Butresearchers at the Harvard School of Medicine have found a diethigh in omega-3 may outweigh the risks posed by environmentalpollution.
Their report, published in the April issue of the American Journalof Epidemiology , found that pregnant women who ate more than therecommended two servings of fish a week during their secondtrimester had preschool children who performed better on verbal,visual and motor skills tests than their peers.
Do kids who eat fish automatically go to the head of the class?
Scientists say it's too early to know for sure, but you're notlikely to go wrong with The Star 's Salmon Mini-Burgers With WasabiMayonnaise. Offering small portions isone way to help kids developa taste for fish, while the wasabi-spiked mayo gives enough punchto keep their parents interested.
Shopping tips: Farm-raised and wild salmon are considered a lowmercury risk. Use either fillets or steaks. If purchasing fillets,ask the fishmonger or butcher to remove the skin on the fish. Justbefore mincing, run your fingers over the salmon to remove anysmall bones that may remain.
For the mini-buns, select round, whole-wheat dinner rolls availablein the bakery section of many grocery stores. If desired,substitute 8 mini whole-wheat pita breads, warmed, for rolls. Cuteach pita to form 2 circles, wrap in aluminum foil and bake at 350degreesabout 10 minutes or until warm.
SALMON MINI-BURGERS WITH WASABI MAYONNAISE
Makes 8 servings
1 pound boneless, skinless fresh salmon
\ cup dry bread crumbs
2 green onions, minced, divided
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
[ teaspoon salt
\ teaspoon pepper
1 egg white
1 cup finely shredded iceberg lettuce
1 tablespoon minced cilantro
\ cup low-fat mayonnaise
1 teaspoon wasabi powder, paste or prepared condiment
8 whole-wheat dinner rolls (about 2 { to 3 inches in diameter),split and lightly toasted
Chill salmon well or place in freezer about 30 minutes or untilvery cold. Mince finely and place in mixing bowl. Add bread crumbs,1 green onion, ginger, salt, pepper and egg white. Stir well. Shapeinto 8 patties, each 2 { to 3 inches in diameter.
Preheat grill or allow coals to burn down to white ash. Spray grillgrate with nonstick spray coating. Grill patties over medium-highdirect heat 2 to 3 minutes per side or until patties are lightlybrowned and set; do not overcook.
Meanwhile, combine lettuce, cilantro and remaining green onion. Inanother bowl, blend together mayonnaise and wasabi.
Spread about 1 { teaspoons mayonnaise mixture on each roll. Topwith salmon patty and about 2 tablespoons lettuce mixture. Serveimmediately.
Per serving: 180 calories (27 percent from fat), 6 grams total fat(1 gram saturated), 32 milligrams cholesterol, 18 gramscarbohydrates, 15 grams protein, 280 milligrams sodium, 2 gramsdietary fiber.