Indulge in a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes your taste buds with a symphony of flavors – Pesto Crusted Salmon. This delectable dish showcases the perfect harmony between succulent salmon fillets enveloped in a vibrant and aromatic pesto crust. The fragrant blend of basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese infuses each bite with an explosion of freshness and nutty richness. Accompanying this exquisite main course are three complementary recipes that elevate the dining experience to new heights.
1. **Pesto Crusted Salmon:** The star of the show, this recipe guides you through the art of creating a flavorful and crispy pesto crust that seals in the tender flesh of the salmon.
2. **Lemon Butter Sauce:** A classic pairing that takes center stage, this sauce combines the brightness of lemon juice with the richness of butter, adding a luscious and tangy touch to the salmon.
3. **Roasted Asparagus:** A delightful side dish that complements the salmon beautifully, roasted asparagus spears are seasoned to perfection, offering a crisp-tender texture and earthy flavor.
4. **Garlic Parmesan Quinoa:** A healthy and flavorful accompaniment, this quinoa dish is infused with garlic and Parmesan cheese, providing a nutty and aromatic base for the salmon.
Together, these recipes create a complete and satisfying meal that caters to a variety of preferences and dietary needs. Let's embark on a culinary journey and explore the tantalizing flavors that await!
PESTO-CRUSTED SALMON FILLET WITH CITRUS-SOY SAUCE
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat a 12-inch non-stick saute pan over a high flame. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Add a small amount of oil to the pan and sear both sides of the salmon quickly, just a few seconds on each side, leaving the fish very rare. Remove the pan from the heat, and place the fish on a work surface. Wipe out the pan and reserve for later use.
- Spread a 1/4-inch layer of pesto evenly over 1 side of the fillet. Sprinkle the top of the pesto with a light, thin dusting of fresh bread crumbs. Carefully invert each fillet into the pan and place it over a medium flame. Toast the bread coating, adding tiny bits of butter to the pan that will melt into the salmon underneath. Once the bread is toasted (after about 1 minute), place the pan in the oven for about 3 minutes, just to heat the fish through.
- To serve, mound 1/6 of the spinach in the center of a warm dinner plate. Invert 1 salmon fillet onto the spinach, crust-side up, and ladle citrus soy sauce around the sides. Place 1 orange segment on top of 1 grapefruit segment in the sauce at 3 different points on the plate.
- In the bowl of a food processor place, pine nuts, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the basil and process again. With the motor running, add the oil in a stream slowly, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally. Add bread crumbs a little at a time, just enough to make pesto spreadable. Process and repeat until the pesto is the right consistency. Remove from food processor and set aside until ready to use.
- In a non-reactive saucepan, saute the ginger in 1 tablespoon olive oil for 1 minute over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute longer. Deglaze the pan with white wine, champagne vinegar, soy sauce, fish sauce, and all 3 fruit juices. Reduce the liquid volume down to 1 cup. Add the chicken stock, bring it to a boil, and cook another 3 minutes. Strain, pushing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible, and place the liquid into a blender or food processor. With the motor running on low, add the remaining olive oil in a slow stream until all the oil is incorporated.
- Wash spinach thoroughly and drain, leaving some of the water clinging to the leaves. In a 12-inch saute pan over medium heat, saute the spinach in a small amount of olive oil until it is wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain excess moisture, season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
- Peel potatoes and slice thin in a criss-cross cut on the zig-zag part of the mandolin. Lay out the slices on a baking sheet. Brush with clarified butter and bake until crisp, about 12 minutes.
SALMON CRUSTED PISTACHIO PESTO
You can make this with your favorite fish. Serve with pasta, potatoes or rice. I enjoy my sushi grade fish still cool inside. But by all means cook yours the full 10-15 minutes.
Provided by Rita1652
Categories Fruit
Time 15m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Spread pesto on top of salmon fillet skin side down.
- roast at 450 degrees on parchment paper for about 10-15 minutes begins to flake when pressed with a fork.
PESTO CRUSTED SALMON
Categories Fish
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- how to make Pulse the bread in a food processor to make breadcrumbs. Remove about 1/2 cup of the crumbs and reserve them. Add the pine nuts, garlic, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper to the crumbs in the food processor and pulse. Add the basil and process again. With the motor running, add the olive oil in a slow stream, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl, until the pesto is spreadable. Heat the oven to 400°F. Brush a small baking sheet with oil, put the fillets on it, and season them with salt and pepper. Spread a 1/4-inch layer of the pesto evenly over the top of each fillet. Sprinkle the reserved breadcrumbs over the pesto. Bake until the salmon is cooked -- it should just start to turn opaque, with a trace of bright orange in the middle -- and the topping is lightly browned, 10 to 15 min., depending on the thickness of the fish. From Fine Cooking 33, pp. 82
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients whenever possible. This will result in the most flavorful dish.
- Don't overcook the salmon. Salmon is a delicate fish that can easily become dry and overcooked. Cook it just until it is opaque in the center, about 5-7 minutes per side.
- Use a good quality pesto. The pesto is the star of this dish, so make sure to use a good quality one. You can either make your own or buy a good quality store-bought pesto.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of pesto. There are many different types of pesto out there, so feel free to experiment with different flavors. You could try a classic basil pesto, a roasted red pepper pesto, or a sun-dried tomato pesto.
- Serve the salmon with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad. This will help to round out the meal and make it more satisfying.
Conclusion:
Pesto-crusted salmon is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover pesto. With its crispy crust and flavorful pesto, this salmon is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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