Salmon with Basil Sauce and Tomato Salad is a vibrant and delicious dish that combines pan-seared salmon fillets with a fresh basil sauce and a refreshing tomato salad. This recipe is perfect for a light and nutritious meal that’s bursting with flavors of summer.
Ingredients:
For Salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets, skin-on (about 6 oz each)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For Basil Sauce:
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Tomato Salad:
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare Salmon:
- Pat dry the salmon fillets with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Place the salmon fillets in the skillet, skin-side down, and cook for about 4-5 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden. Flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Make Basil Sauce:
- In a food processor, combine fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice.
- Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- With the food processor running, gradually add olive oil until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.
3. Prepare Tomato Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, and Kalamata olives.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar over the salad.
- Add chopped fresh basil, salt, and black pepper. Toss gently to combine.
4. Assemble and Serve:
- Spoon a generous amount of basil sauce over each salmon fillet.
- Serve the salmon with a side of tomato salad.
- Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves, if desired.
5. Enjoy:
- Serve immediately while the salmon is warm and the flavors are fresh.
- Enjoy the combination of tender salmon with aromatic basil sauce and tangy tomato salad.
Tips:
- Salmon Cooking: Ensure the salmon fillets are at room temperature before cooking for even cooking throughout.
- Basil Sauce Variation: For a creamier texture, add a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or sour cream to the basil sauce.
- Tomato Salad Variations: You can add cucumber slices or diced avocado to the tomato salad for extra freshness and creaminess.
- Make-Ahead: The basil sauce and tomato salad can be prepared ahead of time and stored separately in the refrigerator. Assemble the dish just before serving for best results.
This Salmon with Basil Sauce and Tomato Salad recipe is perfect for a light and flavorful dinner that showcases the best of summer ingredients. Enjoy preparing and savoring this delicious dish!