PROVENCAL SALMON WITH TOMATO BASIL SAUCE
Ingredients
Sauce
- 4 4 4large, firm, ripe organic tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
- 2 2 2shallots, minced
- 1 1 1bunch Volumefresh organic basil leaves, chopped (about 2/3 cup)
- Grated zest of 1/2 organic lemon
- 1/2 .5 .5cup CUP_USVolumeextra-virgin olive oil
- 2 2 2tablespoons TABLESPOON_USVolumesherry wine vinegar
- 1 1 1tablespoon TABLESPOON_USVolumeminced fresh organic chives
- 1 1 1tablespoon TABLESPOON_USVolumeminced fresh organic tarragon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
Salmon
- 6 6 6pieces fresh salmon fillet, about 6 ounces each, preferably wild-caught from Alaska
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 6 6 6small sprigs fresh organic basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the sauce several hours or the night before. In a nonreactive mixing bowl, stir together the chopped tomatoes, shallots, basil, lemon zest, olive oil, vinegar, chives, and tarragon. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and a little cayenne. Cover the bowl and leave at room temperature to marinate for several hours or overnight (if your kitchen is very hot, refrigerate.)
- About 1/2 hour before serving time, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cover a baking sheet with foil and lightly oil the foil with olive oil. When the oven is hot, switch it to its broiler function. Brush the salmon fillets with olive oil, season them with salt and pepper, and arrange them on a baking sheet. Place the salmon under the broiler about 2 inches from the flame and cook until done the top is very lightly browned and the flesh is still slightly pink in the center, 7 to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, taste the sauce and, if necessary, adjust the seasonings to taste.
- Spoon a generous amount of the sauce onto the middle of each of 6 heated serving plates. Place the salmon fillets on top of the sauce. Top each fillet with a basil sprig. Serve immediately, passing any remaining sauce separately.
Presentation
Spoon a generous amount of the sauce onto the middle of each of 6 heated serving plates. Place the salmon fillets on top of the sauce. Top each fillet with a basil sprig. Serve immediately, passing any remaining sauce separately.
ABOUT THIS RECIPE
This summer salmon recipe allows you to prepare the sauce a day ahead, so that all you have to do at the last minute is broil the fish. The light sauce, with its sunny Provençal flavors, proves how delicious healthy food can be.