Pan Seared Salmon With Lemon Basil Pesto

threeovens's Note:

This is a salmon fillet served with a fresh pesto on top. You could use a store-bought pesto if you like, but homemade is so much better and so easy to do.

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 2

Yield: 2.0 fillets

• 1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
• 1 cup fresh basil leaf, packed
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (I use a generous pinch)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 12 ounces salmon fillets (2, 6-oz each)
• cooking spray

Directions:

1. Heat a dry skillet, over medium heat, and lightly toast pine nuts (gently toss and shake pan occasionally); then place in a food processor.
2. To the food processor, add basil and garlic; pulse just to combine.
3. With processor running, drizzle in olive oil, and process, scraping down sides once or twice with a rubber spatula, to desired consistency (I like it sort of chunky).
4. Add in Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste; pulse to combine; set aside.
5. Wipe the salmon dry with paper towels (to allow a nice sear), then season lightly with salt and pepper.
6. Heat the skillet, over medium-high heat, then spray with cooking spray.
7. Cook salmon about 4 minutes per side or to desired doneness (I like it a little pinkish in the center since it will continue cooking a little when removed from the pan).
8. Serve salmon with pesto spooned over top.
9. Can also be served at room temperature.

Reviews

[Lori Mama]

As with the other reviewer, I've never combined salmon with pesto before. Very nice. I used my own homemade pesto, but added the lemon juice. I also baked the salmon, as I have a difficult time flipping fish so it doesn't fall apart. :)

[duonyte]

A very nice recipe. I cheated a little bit and used the last of some store-made pesto then added some lovely basil from the garden, along with the lemon and red pepper. I've never really thought of basil/pesto with salmon, but it worked together well. Mr Grumpy was not so enthusiastic, but he does not always like change.