Coconut Milk Baked Salmon with Garlic and Lime

What’s it like to be a personal chef? Here’s a look at one of my days cooking for a client family, the menu I prepared, and a favorite recipe: Baked Salmon with Coconut Milk and Spinach Sauce.

Hello friends! I’m switching things up from my usual single recipe post to share what a personal chef visit looks like. I get asked a lot about my personal chef service, so here’s a practical peek into how I plan, shop, cook, and package meals for client families.

Over the past 14 years, amycaseycooks has prepared meals for more than 100 families, handling a wide range of dietary needs: paleo, gluten-free, keto, low-fat, low-salt, nut-free, low-carb, grain-free, and others. I cook for clients weekly or every other week and typically prepare 2 to 5 meals per visit. A meal usually includes an entrée and a side dish.

What to expect from a personal chef

Each family has unique preferences, but the service follows a consistent process:

• Interview the client to learn taste preferences and dietary restrictions
• Design a tailored menu
• Grocery shop for all ingredients
• Work in the client’s kitchen to prepare meals
• Cook and assemble all dishes
• Package meals as individual or family-style portions
• Store meals in the refrigerator or freezer
• Clean up the kitchen completely, including dishes
• Leave a printed menu with reheating instructions

What is a personal chef service?

This photo shows a recent menu I planned, shopped for, cooked, and packaged. I love the variety my work allows—every menu is different. For one weekly client I didn’t repeat a recipe for over nine months, which amounted to more than 150 unique dishes.

During an in-home cook day I often have several dishes underway at once. For example, while salmon roasts in the oven I might prepare chicken for a stir-fry and simmer rice for a fried-rice side. Combining oven and stovetop work keeps the day efficient and organized.

Now let’s look at the menu I prepared for this family. The highlight is Baked Salmon with Creamy Coconut Spinach Sauce—recipe included below.

Ingredients for Salmon with Coconut Milk

• Salmon
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Old Bay seasoning
• Scallions
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Spicy mustard (Dijon recommended)
• Coconut milk (13.5-ounce can)
• Fresh baby spinach
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh parsley

Expert tips for baked salmon

• Portion size: aim for 6-ounce fillets—satisfying but not oversized. Leaving the skin on is fine; it slips off after baking.
• Target internal temperature: 140–145°F for moist, tender salmon. A quick-read digital thermometer is helpful for consistent results.
• Prepare sauce ingredients in advance; the sauce comes together quickly. Use a straight-sided sauté pan to hold the sauce and spinach comfortably.
• Reheating: this dish reheats well. Use microwave power at 60% for about 1 minute, then continue in 30-second intervals until warmed without overcooking the fish.

Personal chef menu

For this client the salmon was served with Cauliflower Rice Pilaf (spinach omitted from the pilaf since it’s in the sauce). The full pilaf method is included in my cauliflower rice recipe.

Other menu items that day included a spicy Jalapeño Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry and Vegetable Fried Rice with peas, carrots, and sesame-scrambled eggs. A Balsamic Steak Salad with Roasted Red Onions and Blue Cheese provided a cool, flavorful option—the steak can be reheated or served cold over greens.

Vegetable sides that complemented the menu included Roasted Carrot and Parsnip Fries. For the kids (and the grown-ups who love them) I prepared Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders with Mini Mac and Cheese Bites as a fun, two-bite side.

On occasion clients request an add-on. This family asked for my Irish Soda Bread, so the home filled with the warm aroma of freshly baked bread that day.

How a personal chef packages meals

Most clients prefer durable glass storage containers that go from fridge to oven to table; clients simply provide clean containers before each visit. Others choose disposable plastic to-go containers for convenience and easy recycling.

I share daily updates, recipes, and behind-the-scenes photos on social media. If you try any of my recipes I’d love to hear about it.

Recipe — Baked Salmon with Creamy Coconut Spinach Sauce