Date Night Salmon Salad Recipes

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.

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.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil and spray foil with nonstick spray.
• Combine paprika, cumin, salt, onion, garlic, pepper, and seafood seasoning in a small bowl; mix to combine. Set aside 1 teaspoon seasoning for the pasta sauce.
• Rub remaining seasoning over salmon fillets and set on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until salmon flakes easily with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add garlic and saute until golden, about 30 seconds. Add panko and reserved 1 teaspoon of seasoning. Cook and stir, being careful not to burn, until panko are lightly toasted, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and transfer panko to a small bowl.
• Place spinach in a colander and set in the sink. Drain the spaghetti over the spinach; the hot water should instantly wilt the spinach. Transfer drained pasta and spinach to the skillet. Add butter and red pepper flakes and toss to coat.
• Distribute noodles evenly between 2 bowls, and top each with a salmon fillet, panko, and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.