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Salmon with Pesto and Blistered Tomatoes

Salmon with Pesto and Blistered Tomatoes
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Salmon with Pesto and Blistered Tomatoes is a quick, fresh, and delicious dinner featuring tender salmon fillets paired with herby pesto and sweet blistered cherry tomatoes. This nutritious, flavorful dish is perfect for busy weeknights and impressive enough to serve guests, combining vibrant flavors, simple preparation, and wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4 skin-on salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
  • 12 oz cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Rinse the salmon fillets and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a crispy skin. Halve the cherry tomatoes and mince the garlic. Have your pesto and lemon juice ready for easy use in later steps.
  2. Blister the Tomatoes: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the halved tomatoes cut-side down and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until their skins blister and soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to infuse flavor.
  3. Cook the Salmon: Push tomatoes to one side of the skillet and place salmon skin-side down in the same pan. Cook without moving for 4-5 minutes until the skin becomes crispy and the salmon is mostly cooked through. Flip the fillets and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the salmon is tender and cooked to your liking.
  4. Add Pesto and Finish: Remove the skillet from heat. Spoon the pesto generously over the salmon and tomatoes. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over everything for a bright, acidic finish. Serve immediately while warm and fragrant.

Notes

  • Pat salmon dry to ensure crispy skin when seared.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan to allow even blistering and searing.
  • Adjust cooking times based on fillet thickness to avoid overcooking.
  • Use fresh pesto for best flavor and brightness.
  • Allow salmon to rest a minute off heat to lock in juices before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, pesto, blistered tomatoes, quick dinner, healthy, weeknight meal, Mediterranean, seafood

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/salmon-with-pesto-and-blistered-tomatoes/