Sorrel Pistachio Pesto With Seared Salmon Food

KALE AND PISTACHIO PESTO SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Add the kale to the boiling water and cook, stirring, until just wilted but still bright green, about 2 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the kale to the ice water (keep the water boiling). When cool, drain well and squeeze out as much water as possible. Coarsely chop the kale.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and then drain the pasta.
• While the pasta cooks, pulse the pistachios and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the kale and parsley and pulse until very finely chopped. With the machine running, add the oil in a steady stream. Add the Parmesan, lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and pulse to incorporate.
• Toss the pasta with the pesto, adding a few spoonfuls of the reserved cooking water if it seems dry. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

PESTO SALMON AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Set up a 2-layer bamboo steamer in a skillet and add enough water to reach the bottom rim; bring the water to a simmer. Or set up a 2-layer electric steamer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Put the potatoes in the bottom tray of the steamer and cook until just tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the basil, hazelnuts, garlic and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a blender. Finely grate in the zest from half the lemon and squeeze in all of the juice. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons water and puree. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the yogurt.
• After the potatoes have cooked 15 minutes, place the salmon in the top tray of the steamer. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the salmon is opaque, 6 to 8 minutes. Let the fish sit in the steamer off the heat while you transfer the potatoes to a bowl and smash with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the pecorino; season with salt and pepper. Remove the salmon and top with the pesto and more basil. Serve with the potatoes and lemon wedges.

PAN SEARED SALMON WITH LEMON BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a dry skillet, over medium heat, and lightly toast pine nuts (gently toss and shake pan occasionally); then place in a food processor.
• To the food processor, add basil and garlic; pulse just to combine.
• With processor running, drizzle in olive oil, and process, scraping down sides once or twice with a rubber spatula, to desired consistency (I like it sort of chunky).
• Add in Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste; pulse to combine; set aside.
• Wipe the salmon dry with paper towels (to allow a nice sear), then season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Heat the skillet, over medium-high heat, then spray with cooking spray.
• Cook salmon about 4 minutes per side or to desired doneness (I like it a little pinkish in the center since it will continue cooking a little when removed from the pan).
• Serve salmon with pesto spooned over top.
• Can also be served at room temperature.

SALMON FILLETS WITH PESTO AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F
• Take four salmon fillets (do NOT use salmon steaks!) of about 6-7 oz. each and put them on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with Pam or brushed with olive oil to prevent sticking.
• Spoon about 1 tablespoon of Butoni pesto (in the grocery store refrigerated section) onto the top of each filet and spread evenly.
• Take the pistachios (shell the nuts, put in a baggie and whack with the side of a meat tenderizer/pounder) and cover the pesto with them. The amounts of pesto and pistachios depend on the size of the fillets, so use your judgment here.
• Bake for about 20-22 minutes until done.
• Serve immediately. (I serve it with roasted baby red potatoes and asparagus.).

SALMON CRUSTED PISTACHIO PESTO

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.