PESTO-RUBBED BAKED SALMON WITH SMASHED CUCUMBER AND GREEN APPLE SALAD

Pesto-Rubbed Baked Salmon with Smashed Cucumber and Green Apple Salad image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

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Ingredients

Unsalted butter, softened, as needed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Six 6-ounce skinless salmon fillets, preferably wild
3 tablespoons prepared pesto
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 English cucumber, peeled
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup finely diced pitted Medjool dates (about 6)
2 green apples, cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Juice of 1 lemon

Steps:

For the salmon: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
Brush a baking dish with a thin coat of softened butter and sprinkle a little salt and pepper over the surface. Set the salmon fillets upright (flat-side down) on the baking dish, brush a little soft butter over each fillet and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, whisk the pesto, mustard and lemon juice together and season it with salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture evenly over the salmon, covering the top surface only. Bake until the desired doneness, about 14 minutes for medium rare for 1 1/2-inch-thick fillets (cook longer for thicker pieces).
For the salad: Meanwhile, put the cucumber into a clean towel on a cutting board and smash it with the heel of your hand. Unwrap the cucumber and slice it crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces; transfer them to a mixing bowl and sprinkle a little salt over them. Add the dates and apples and stir to mix. Add the pine nuts, olive oil, mint and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper, and toss until evenly combined.
Serve the salmon fillets on warm plates with the salad on the side.

Comment
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Khan 2

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I'm always looking for new salmon recipes, and this one did not disappoint. The salmon was cooked to perfection and the pesto rub was flavorful and delicious.

Shastri25 Rai

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This dish is perfect for a summer meal. The salmon is light and flaky, and the salad is refreshing and crisp.

Wilfred Tembo

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I'm not a huge fan of fish, but this recipe changed my mind. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the flavors were amazing.

Sohag Molla

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This is one of my favorite salmon recipes. It's so easy to make and the results are always amazing.

Brian Jason

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Loved the flavors in this dish. The pesto rub on the salmon was delicious and the salad was a perfect accompaniment.

Toby Jones

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This recipe is a keeper! I'll definitely be making it again.

Driton Zeli

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I tried this recipe for a dinner party and it was a huge success. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the salad was light and refreshing.

Ifeanyi Chukwu

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This dish is so easy to make and it's always a hit. I love the combination of flavors in the pesto rub and the smashed cucumber and green apple salad.

Ryder Family

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I've made this recipe several times now, and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The salmon is moist and flavorful, and the smashed cucumber and green apple salad is a refreshing complement.