Strawberry-Mint Feta salad Cavanaugh_Berry

Grilled Salmon with Strawberry – Mint Salad
Serves 4

The month of May brings blossoms, berries, and wild Alaska salmon to our tables. This easy-to-prepare recipe is light, refreshing, and full of flavor. What better way to kick off strawberry and wild salmon season? Appetite required.

Ingredients

1 pint fresh strawberries, washed and cut or sliced

1 tablespoon shallot, minced

¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled

Several sprigs fresh mint leaves only, chopped

One head green leaf or red leaf lettuce, romaine, or spring mix

Balsamic vinaigrette

1 pound sustainable wild Alaska salmon, skin on, cut into four-ounce portions

2-4 tablespoons olive oil

Kosher salt and black pepper

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl combine strawberries, shallots, and feta cheese. Stir lightly, careful not to bruise the strawberries. Sprinkle the chopped mint over the fruit and cheese.
  2. Arrange the lettuce on individual plates or on a large platter for family-style dining.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for three or four minutes or until you can feel the heat rise from the pan when you hover your hand over the skillet.
  4. Rub a little olive oil onto both sides of the salmon and then season both sides with kosher salt and pepper.
  5. Place the salmon skin-side down in the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium. Set your timer for two minutes. Resist the urge to move or turn the salmon. You want to develop a good sear.
  6. Carefully lift the salmon with a fish spatula and turn. Continue cooking an additional two minutes for medium-rare, or until done depending on the thickness of your fish. Aim for 125 degrees for medium-rare. And remember! Salmon will continue to cook once it’s removed from the heat. TIP: Less is better.
  7. Remove the salmon from the heat and place it on top of the greens.
  8. Top the salmon with the Strawberry-Mint salad.
  9. Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over the top. Serve immediately.

Aren’t sure where to buy wild Alaska salmon?

Check out my new release, Salmon From Market To Plate when you want to buy salmon that is good for you and the oceans. This go-to cookbook is the salmon resource for the conscientious cook who wants to maintain a sustainable seafood kitchen. It’s packed with helpful shopping tips, kitchen essentials, cooking tips and easy-to-prepare recipes. Salmon is available on Amazon in print or Kindle. Or drop me a line if you want an autographed book!

(This article appeared in Western Kentucky Review May 29, 2013. Copyright Maureen C. Berry.)