This is a great, quick weeknight dinner that seems much more time-consuming and fancy than it is. It’s also light and healthy. People often ask me how do I have time to cook? Well I want to eat good food and I make the time. But with practice, you get quicker too. This dinner, even with setting up and making the video, took one hour. So without the video you could easily do this in 45 minutes. And really, most of my recipes here in this blog are like that. I may put more hours into a dish on the weekends or certainly for a special birthday dinner but even weekend dinners may just have more oven time, not active time. I am all about making gourmet meals in quick time!
SESAME AND CURRY CRUSTED SALMON WITH TOMATO SALAD – adapted from Grace Parisi – Food & Wine Magazine
– serves 4
1 tbs. sesame seeds
1 tsp. curry powder
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
1.5 lb. center-cut, salmon fillet, with skin
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 tbs. plus 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved or Campari tomatoes, quartered
1/2 serrano or jalepeno chile, minced with seeds
1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
Preheat the oven to 425°. In a spice grinder, combine the sesame seeds, curry powder and crushed red pepper and pulse until coarsely ground. Season the salmon with salt and pepper, brush one side of the fillet with 1 tablespoon of the Dijon mustard and coat with the ground sesame seed mixture.
In a large, ovenproof, nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the salmon, coated side down, and cook over moderately high heat until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip the salmon. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for about 10 minutes, until the salmon is just cooked through. Transfer the salmon to a platter.
In a large bowl, whisk the lemon juice with the remaining 1 tsp. of mustard and 1 tbs. of olive oil. Season the dressing with salt and pepper. Add the tomatoes, chile and cilantro and toss. Cut the salmon into 4 pieces and serve right away with the tomato salad.
I have this theory, with no scientific basis, but I think fish skin is good for you – and when it’s hot and crispy, it sure tastes good to me.
I served this with some steamed Basmati rice and sautéed mustard greens with roasted garlic.
Ginger-crusted Halibut
Super Quick Sausage, Potato & Arugula Recipe
Chicken Breasts with Carrots and Leeks
Everyday dinners
Pork Chops with Ginger Blackberry Sauce
This looks delicious—I need to try this next time I make salmon!
Please do – and let me know how you like it. It’s one of my faves!
While I stand here eating a bowl of mediocre tomato soup, you dare taunt me with this marvelous salmon lunch. Oh how I suffer.
You are so funny – it’s a dinner though!
Salmon has to be one of my favourites, as well as trout. Shame your video won’t load. Could be my system that isn’t up to date.
Hmm, it’s working on our end… Maybe try this direct link to YouTube http://youtu.be/_8LTd32Jn4Q Thanks for watching!
Thank you, I’ll try that link. Sometimes they open, sometimes they don’t!
Also, salmon and trout are very high in Omega-3’s – so good for you!!
– I know, and my bodily system seems to thrive on a diet high in fish and seafood.
– Sadly, that link didn’t work either.
Sorry, I think the problem is on your end 🙁 I don’t think there is anything else I can send to try
Thank you. I’m using a five year old lap top, which might help to explain it!
Nice.
Thanks! 🙂
Great demo on the video, and salmon looks good too.
Thanks!! 🙂
Looking good – another great recipe for salmon to add to my list…thanks
Definitely! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Pleasure!!
Love the addition of video to your blog … it looks delish … and I don’t even like salmon!
Thank you!! I think you’ll like this salmon. 🙂
I think if it tastes REALLY good, it must be good for you. It’s my theory too!
You’re talking skin, right? (and chocolate!) Yes, yes!!
Fantastic! It sounds flavorful, and it’s low carb! (My husband has been trying to cut out the carbs. He’s going to love this.) It’s going on the menu for next week.
I had a ‘duh’ moment watching the video when you patted the dripping fillet dry. I always rinse it and try to keep the seasonings from sliding off. Heh…Yeah. 🙂
Thank you!
LOL! Glad the video helped! You must make the tomato salad too – they really work together. Please let me know how you like it!
I completely agree that cooking is not just for those special occasions and when you have hours to prepare – fresh home cooked food belongs on your weekday table just as much! Thank you for this tasty post!
This is exactly my goal – great food on weekdays – it’s not that hard – and it’s so good for you and gives you an opportunity to spread the LOVE to your family and guests!
i would simply love to taste this!!!!!! please consider we’re producing our super extravirgin olive oil…and i can pick the lemons from my own garden…super lucky…am i right? ::))
Totally!! Fresh lemons sound divine! Where can I get your olive oil?
only in Europe…we’re not on the US market yet:(. I never write about, but i’ll do it soon….Thank you for asking…