Date Night Salmon Salad Recipes

GRILLED SALMON WITH SMASHED CUCUMBER-DATE SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare the salmon: Prepare a charcoal fire in an outdoor grill (alternatively, cook the salmon indoors on a grill pan); the coals should be medium-hot and the rack should be positioned about 6 inches from the fire. Place the salmon fillets on a cutting board, skin-side down. Cut down the center of each fillet lengthwise along the center seam. Cut through the flesh but not the skin. Draw the salmon flesh apart at the incision, flattening the fillets, leaving them skin-side down. Fold each fillet into a horseshoe shape, bending it back onto itself, so it resembles a boneless salmon steak. Brush each piece of fish lightly on both sides with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper.
• Grill the salmon just until the flesh firms and grill marks appear, about 2 1/2 minutes on the first side and about 1 1/2 minutes on the second side. Rotate each fillet one quarter-turn (90 degrees) and grill just long enough to mark the fillets, completing a cross-hatch pattern, less than 1 minute. Turn the fillets over and repeat the grilling and rotating procedure until the other sides show the cross-hatch grill markings. Remove the fish from the grill and reserve. (The salmon can be grilled up to 1 hour in advance of the meal.)
• Prepare the salad: Roll the cucumber pieces up in a clean linen napkin or towel, and then smash them, pressing down hard with the heels of your hands while ensuring the towel doesn't unroll, to release the juices. Transfer the crushed cucumbers to a cutting board, and then coarsely chop. Combine the cucumbers, sliced fennel, dates, walnuts, chives and some of the fennel fronds in a salad bowl and mix gently.
• Finish cooking the salmon and dress the salad: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the salmon fillets in a baking dish, brush each one lightly with extra-virgin olive oil and roast about 3 1/2 minutes for medium-rare.
• Meanwhile, dress the cucumber salad with the lemon juice and 4 tablespoons of fruity olive oil. Then season with sea salt and pepper. Toss the salad lightly, and then arrange equal portions on each of six plates. Top each portion of salad with a grilled salmon fillet. Drizzle a little fruity olive oil on top of each portion, garnish each plate with fennel fronds and serve.

DATE-NIGHT SALMON SALAD

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion and the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and orzo and cook, stirring, until the rice is translucent on the edges, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock, turmeric, and a generous pinch of salt. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Stir once, then cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let steam, covered, for 15 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, then spread on a baking sheet to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
• Place the salmon skin side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with the tequila and sprinkle with the lime zest, then season generously with salt and pepper. Bake the salmon for about 20 minutes, until just cooked through. Let cool completely, then remove the skin and flake the salmon into 2-inch pieces; discard the skin.
• In a large bowl, toss the cooled rice pilaf with the arugula, cilantro, lime juice, and sliced onion. Season the salad with salt and pepper. Gently fold in the salmon, then serve immediately.

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.