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Fresh Mediterranean Salmon Recipe with Zesty Cucumber Tomato Relish

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A light and fresh salmon dish featuring a crispy seared fillet topped with a zesty cucumber tomato relish, perfect for summer evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz / 170 g each), skin on for crispiness
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 medium cucumber, seeded and diced (English cucumber works great)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional garnishes: fresh dill sprigs, lemon wedges

Instructions

  1. Prep the Relish (10 minutes): In a medium bowl, combine diced cucumber, quartered cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, and parsley. Add lemon juice and olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Stir gently to mix. Set aside to let flavors meld while you cook the salmon.
  2. Prepare the Salmon (5 minutes): Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Rub each fillet with olive oil, then sprinkle salt, pepper, and smoked paprika evenly over the flesh and skin sides.
  3. Heat the Pan (2 minutes): Place your skillet over medium-high heat and let it get hot until shimmering but not smoking.
  4. Cook the Salmon (6-8 minutes): Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the pan. Press down gently with a spatula for a few seconds to prevent curling. Cook without moving for about 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden. Flip carefully and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes until just cooked through.
  5. Final Touches (2 minutes): Remove salmon from heat and let rest for a minute or two. Stir the relish and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Serve: Plate the salmon fillets and top generously with the zesty cucumber tomato relish. Garnish with dill sprigs and lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Pat salmon dry before cooking to ensure crispy skin. Use medium-high heat and do not move the salmon while cooking skin-side down to develop a golden crust. Let salmon rest after cooking to redistribute juices. The relish can be made ahead and allowed to meld flavors. For baking alternative, cook salmon at 400°F for 12-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, Mediterranean, cucumber tomato relish, summer recipe, healthy, quick dinner, fresh, seafood

Find it online: https://grubella.com/fresh-mediterranean-salmon-recipe-with-zesty-cucumber-tomato-relish-perfect-for-summer/