Date Night Salmon Salad Food

DIJON-BAKED SALMON WITH DATE AND APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• For the salmon: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Brush a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with a thin coating of butter and sprinkle a little salt and pepper over the surface. Set the salmon fillets in the baking dish skinned-side down and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Whisk together the 2 tablespoons butter, Dijon mustard, parsley, white wine, lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Spoon the mixture evenly over the top of the salmon. Bake to the desired doneness, about 14 minutes for medium-rare (cook longer for thicker fillets).
• For the salad: Meanwhile, bring the white wine to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Immediately remove from the heat, stir in the dates and set aside. Whisk together the mint, Dijon mustard and lemon juice in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Wrap the cucumber in a clean kitchen towel, set on a cutting board and smash with the heel of your hand. Unwrap the cucumber and slice crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces. Add the cucumber to the bowl with the dressing and sprinkle with a little salt (don't toss with the dressing yet). Let the cucumbers sit for 5 minutes before adding the date mixture, apples and pine nuts. Toss to evenly combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with the salmon.

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.