"I came up with this recipe after I found out my cholesterol levels were high. I started to eat healthier and salmon is one of the foods that help lower my cholesterol," says Nicole. "Since I live in Florida and orange is our state fruit, my aunt helped me create this dish using orange in the salmon sauce. I love to cook with my aunt and uncle. For dessert I like a dish created by my aunt called Cielo, with layers of fresh strawberries and egg white whipped cream." - Nicole Medina, age 10, Florida

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients: 

• Juice from 1 orange
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (6-ounce) skinless salmon fillet
• 1/4 cup whole wheat linguine
• 6 asparagus spears, chopped
• 1/4 medium onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 sprigs fresh parsley, leaves removed and chopped
• 2 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated Pecorino

Preparation:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, 1 teaspoon olive oil, honey, and mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
2. In a medium sauté pan over moderate heat, warm 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add the salmon and cook for 4 minutes. Flip the salmon over, add the orange sauce, and continue to cook until the salmon is golden and cooked through, about 4 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a plate.
3. In a medium pot of boiling salter water, cook the pasta until al dente, about 5 minutes. Add the asparagus and continue cooking for 2 more minutes. Drain the pasta and asparagus and transfer to a bowl.
4. In a medium sauté pan over moderate heat, warm the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, parsley, and basil and sauté, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and garlic mixture to the pasta, sprinkle the cheese, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Serve the salmon alongside the pasta with asparagus.

273 calories; 22g protein; 14g carbohydrates; 14g fat (2g saturated fat); 157mg sodium

More information about the Kids' State Dinner:

• Check out the other winning 2013 Kids' State Dinner Recipes here.
• Learn more about Kids' State Dinner here.