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Salmon is one of the best foods of the Pacific Northwest to me and I love it. It’s simply a non-complicated fish to cook. And there are many ways to do it. Here is a simple recipe with simple flavors that bring out the delicious flavor of the salmon. I didn’t want to overwhelm and hide the subtle taste of the salmon with other herbs and ingredients.
Pesto is an easy sauce and so delicious when you make it yourself. I often forget that and when I do make it I’m amazed how delicious it tastes. You can compliment most any dish with pesto sauce. It’s the best pasta. So if you haven’t made homemade pesto you’re in for a treat.
So I hope you enjoy it.
Salmon with Roasted Blistered Tomatoes and Feta Cheese with Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
SALMON:
- Salmon –
- Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 small Lemon, juiced and zest
- 1-2 tsp Thyme, fresh and chopped or dried
- Roasted Tomatoes –
- 1 ½ cups Cherry or grapeTomatoes
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 tsp Thyme
- Drizzle of Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 cup Feta crumbles
- Parsley, chopped (garnish)
PASTA:
- 3 cups Basil
- 1 cup Parsley
- 2-4 cloves of Garlic
- Salt and Pepper
- ½ small Lemon, juiced and zest
- Few Red Pepper Flakes, if desired
- ½ cup or more of Olive Oil
- ½ – 1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- ¾ cup of Pine Nuts, lightly toasted
- ½ cup Walnuts, lightly toasted
- Parsley and Basil, chopped for garnish
- Shaved Parmesan cheese for garnish
- About a tablespoon or more of pasta water, if needed or desired
- Cooked Pasta
Directions
SALMON:
- Preheat the oven 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Place Salmon on a baking sheet. Drizzle a little olive oil, add salt and pepper and thyme on the salmon. Depending on the size of the salmon, bake for 15 minutes, half way through.
- In a separate bowl, add the tomatoes, salt and pepper, thyme, balsamic vinegar and feta crumbles and mix together. Spoon the tomato mixture on top and around the salmon. Add a little more feta on top of the fish so it will melt a little as it continues to bake. Continue to bake the salmon for another 15 minutes until just done. Before serving, drizzle a little balsamic vinegar and chopped parsley on the salmon. Serve with Pesto Pasta or rice and a salad.
Note: Depending on the size of the Salmon will depend on how long you’ll need to cook it so adjust the time.
PASTA:
- In a pot of boiling water, add the pasta and cook until done.
- In a sauté pan lightly toasted the pine nuts and walnuts.
- In a food processor add the garlic, lemon juice and zest, pepper flakes and pine nuts and walnuts. Pulse the mixture and scrape down the sides if needed and continue pulsing until blended.
- Add in the basil and parsley. Pulse until chopped and blended. Slowly drizzle the oil, while processing until you get the consistency you want. Feel free to add in a little of the pasta water as well, about a tablespoon. Add in the Parmesan cheese and continue to pulse until blended.
- Add enough pesto to the hot pasta as desired and mix. Add shaved Parmesan cheese and chopped basil and parsley. Serve by itself or as an accompaniment to Salmon with Roasted Blistered Tomatoes and Feta Cheese.
Notes:
You can use a variety of leafy greens and nuts to make Pesto.
Parsley, Basil, Spinach, Arugula, Kale
Walnuts, Pine Nuts, Almonds, Pecans
Enjoy ☺
