This is one of those simple dishes that comes to you in a flash of inspiration. What better complement to the innate richness of salmon than smoky bacon broiled crisp?

Anoint it all with the funky sweetness of a good balsamic vinegar. Serve a simple green salad and steamed broccoli florets spritzed with lemon juice as contrast.

Bill Daley writes for the Chicago Tribune, which provided the recipe analysis.

Menu

Broiled Salmon With Bacon; broccoli spritzed with lemon; baby greens salad; French bread; vanilla ice cream

Broiled Salmon With Bacon

Makes 4 servings -- Total time: 13 minutes

4 salmon fillets, about 1 pound

1/4 teaspoon each: salt, freshly ground pepper

4 slices bacon

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (divided use)

Heat broiler. Season salmon with salt and pepper; place skin-side down in a broiler pan or cookie sheet. Cover with bacon strips; brush salmon and bacon with 1 tablespoon of the balsamic vinegar.

Broil until cooked through and bacon is crisp, about 8 minutes, basting with remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar halfway through cooking.

Per serving: 225 calories, 11 grams fat, 2 grams saturated fat, 79 milligrams cholesterol, 1 gram carbohydrate, 28 grams protein, 350 milligrams sodium, 0 grams fiber