Catalina Grilled Salmon Salad Food

GRILLED SALMON SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat grill. Place a medium pot of water on the stove to boil. While the grill heats and the water comes to a boil, prepare the Orange Vinaigrette, and set aside until needed.
• Trim the bottoms of the asparagus and cook for 30 seconds in the boiling water. Remove from the pot to a plate.
• Place the salmon fillets on a large plate and coat with 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Put the salmon fillets on the hottest part of the grill, starting with the skinless side down. Grill for about 5 to 10 minutes on each side, or until desired doneness.
• While the salmon is grilling, combine the salad greens, olives, oranges, onions, and half of the vinaigrette in a large bowl. Toss to combine. Divide the salad mixture evenly among 4 plates.
• When the salmon is nearly done, coat the asparagus with the remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper. Put the asparagus on the grill. Grill lightly, moving the spears around the heat frequently with tongs, for about 3 minutes.
• Remove the salmon and asparagus from the grill and distribute them evenly among the 4 plates on top of the greens mixture. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salmon and serve.
• Zest the oranges with a zester or the fine side of a box grater. Finely chop the zest with a knife, then squeeze the juice out of the oranges into a small stainless steel bowl. Add the zest, shallots, brown sugar, and rice vinegar to the orange juice and whisk together. Slowly, in a steady stream, add the canola oil and extra-virgin olive oil while constantly whisking, until combined. Add the salt, pepper, and orange oil; the orange oil is strong, so just a very small amount is needed. Set the dressing aside while preparing the rest of the salad.
• *Boyajian Orange Oil is available at specialty food stores.
• Yield: 1 1/2 cups

SEASIDE SALMON SALAD

Steps:

• Cook macaroni in boiling, salted water until tender. Drain.
• Add Catalina dressing while still hot and toss. Chill.
• Drain and flake salmon.
• Add flaked salmon, celery, relish, eggs, green onion, parsley, seasonings and mayonnaise to macaroni. Toss all together lightly.
• Chill at least 2 hours to marry the flavors.
• Serve as a side dish or on lettuce leaves with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers as a meal.

LEE'S SALMON BASTE

Steps:

• Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Whisk Catalina salad dressing, melted butter, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and dill together in a bowl. Brush over the salmon fillets.
• Cook salmon on the preheated grill, basting regularly with the sauce, until the flesh flakes easily with a fork, about 15 minutes.

GRILLED SALMON SALAD WITH LIME, CHILES AND HERBS

Steps:

• Light the grill for indirect heat, or heat the oven to 450 degrees.
• As the grill or oven heat up, make the dressing: Halve 1 lime, and squeeze its juice into a small bowl. Add the chile slices, half of the sliced shallot (save the rest for serving), the fish sauce and a pinch each salt and sugar. Let sit for 1 minute to dissolve the salt, then whisk in the olive oil. It won't emulsify, so mix again before using.
• Brush the salmon with oil, and place it in a grilling basket if you have one. Cook over the indirect (unlit) side of the grill, for 2 to 5 minutes per side, depending on how hot the grill is and how thick the salmon is. Note that individual fillets will cook faster than a single large piece. Check the salmon often. (Alternatively, roast the salmon on a baking sheet in the oven, until just cooked to taste, 7 to 12 minutes; you don't have to flip it.)
• As the salmon cooks, halve the other lime. Brush the cut sides with olive oil and grill, cut-side down, over direct heat until charred, about 1 minute. If using the oven, throw the halves, cut-side up, on the roasting pan with the salmon. They won't char, but they will cook and mellow in flavor, which is the aim.
• When the salmon is cooked, transfer it to a plate and spoon some dressing over it. Let it cool slightly, then break up the fish into large chunks.
• Place greens, remaining shallots, herbs, and radishes or cucumber, if using, in a large shallow bowl or on a platter, and add a little more of the dressing. Squeeze some of the juice from a charred lime half over it and drizzle with a little olive oil. Toss and taste, adding lime juice, olive oil or salt as needed.
• Top with the salmon chunks and drizzle with more (or all) of the dressing. Serve with the remaining charred lime half on the side for squeezing.