Recipe- Crispy Skin Salmon With Zucchini, Cucumber And Dill Salad

On the weekend I picked up several pieces of beautifully fresh salmon from Santa Monica Seafood. Oh, how I love Santa Monica Seafood! I also swung by the farmers market and grabbed zucchini, cucumber, spinach and radishes. Truth be told, at the time I had no idea what I was gonna make! That’s how I usually roll. Grab tons of healthy food, then challenge myself to come up with a meal.

The key to perfect, crispy skin salmon is to cook the skin side first and longer. Heat your oil in a non-stick pan on fairly high heat and place your salmon skin side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes until really crispy. Then, flip for only a quick minute. The other key to delicious salmon? Don’t overcook it! Try to keep the middle of your salmon still slightly pink when you remove from the heat, as it will continue to cook once removed.

Ingredients

For The Salmon Salad

4 salmon fillets , with skin on
3 cups baby spinach
4 small zucchinis, sliced lengthwise
1 large cucumber, peeled, sliced, and halved
4 radishes, thinly sliced
2 tablespoon avocado oil
dill, for garnishing
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste

Cucumber Dill Vinaigrette

1/3 cup olive oil
1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced
3 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt

Method

* Make the vinaigrette by combining all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Pulse until smooth. Set aside.

* Make the salad by tossing the spinach, zucchini, cucumber and radishes together in a bowl. Set aside.

* Add the avocado oil to a large, non-stick sauté pan on medium-high heat.

* Place the salmon skin side down and cook for 4-5 minutes. Leave the pan uncovered, but use a splatter guard to protect from hot oil splatters. Flip the salmon and cook for an additional minute.

* Divide your salad mix between the plates and top with a piece of salmon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Garnish with dill and drizzle the cucumber dill vinaigrette on top.