Crisp Salmon With Citrus Avocado Salad Food

CRISP SALMON WITH CITRUS AVOCADO SALAD

Steps:

• In a small skillet, toast the pine nuts over moderate heat. Toss frequently, until golden (3-4 minutes). In a large bowl, whisk 1 1/2 Tbsp of the olive oil with the mayonnaise, lemon juice and orange juice and season with salt and pepper. Pat the salmon dry and season with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1 Tbsp of olive oil over moderately high heat until shimmering. Add the salmon skin side down and cook until crisp and golden, about 6 minutes. Turn and cook the fillets until just pink in the center, about 4 minutes longer. Add the Bibb lettuce, avocados and pine nuts to the dressing and gently toss to coat. Mound the salad next to the salmon and serve. From Food & Wine Oct 2009

GRILLED SALMON WITH CITRUS SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• For the salsa: Peel and trim the ends from each orange. Using a paring knife, cut along the membrane on both sides of each segment. Free the segments and add them to a medium bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, scallions, mint, capers, orange zest, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. Toss lightly and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
• For the salmon: Put a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Brush the grilling rack with vegetable oil to keep the salmon from sticking. Brush the salmon on both sides with the agave nectar and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill until the fish flakes easily and is cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Transfer the salmon to a platter and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
• Spoon the salsa verde on top of the salmon or serve on the side as an accompaniment.

GRAPEFRUIT, SALMON, AND AVOCADO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Place in a 9-inch baking dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with half of scallions. Bake until salmon is partially opaque in center, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a dish and let cool.
• Break salmon into large pieces and divide among serving dishes. Top each with grapefruit, avocado, greens, and remaining scallions. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk remaining 2 tablespoons oil with lime juice and season with salt. Drizzle dressing over each salad.

SALMON, AVOCADO & CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Season the salmon, then rub with oil. Mix the dressing ingredients together. Halve, stone, peel and slice the avocados. Halve and quarter the cucumber lengthways, then cut into slices. Divide salad, avocado and cucumber between four plates, then drizzle with half the dressing.
• Heat a non-stick pan. Add the salmon and fry for 3-4 mins on each side until crisp but still moist inside. Put a salmon fillet on top of each salad and drizzle over the remaining dressing. Serve warm.

SEARED SALMON WITH CITRUS AND ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• Make the glaze for the salmon: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil with the orange juice, mustard, half the chopped garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
• Make the salad dressing: In another small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil with the lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir in the shallots and the remaining garlic, then set aside.
• Using a small serrated knife, peel the grapefruit and oranges and trim to remove any remaining pith. Slice all the peeled fruit crosswise into thin circles (no larger than 1/2-inch thick); remove the seeds and set aside.
• Heat a 12-inch cast-iron or heavy stainless-steel skillet over medium-high until it's extremely hot (a drop of water flicked onto the pan should turn to steam almost immediately), about 3 minutes. Meanwhile, pat the salmon fillets dry using paper towels, brush both sides with olive oil, and season all over with salt and pepper.
• When the pan is ready, cook the salmon fillets skin-side down over medium-high without moving until the salmon skin releases easily from the pan, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a pair of tongs or a spatula, wiggle the fillets to loosen the skin from the bottom of the pan, then carefully flip. Lower the heat to medium and cook until the salmon is cooked through but still slightly rare in the center, 4 to 5 more minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
• Transfer to a rimmed plate or serving dish, and brush the glaze all over the salmon, making sure to coat the fillets.
• Combine the arugula and fennel in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well. Add the avocado, citrus rounds and pistachios, and toss gently. Transfer to a shallow serving bowl or platter and serve alongside the salmon.