Minted Salmon Recipes

ROASTED SALMON WITH CHILE MINTED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Combine the cucumber, chile, and mint in a mixing bowl. Pour in the vinegar, sprinkle with the sugar, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together so the cucumbers are well coated in the vinegar, the cucumbers will soften and the flavors deepen as it sits.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Season both sides of the salmon with a fair amount of salt and pepper. Sprinkle the top of the salmon with the sesame seeds. Place a cast iron or regular ovenproof skillet on the stove over medium heat. Coat the pan with the oil and when it is nice and hot, lay the salmon in the pan, sesame seed-side down. Sear the salmon for 3 minutes, then stick it in the oven and roast for 10 minutes until it's just cooked through. Serve the salmon on a pile of the chile minted cucumbers.

BROILED SALMON WITH CHILE, ORANGE AND MINT

Steps:

• Turn on the broiler and position the oven rack to sit about 6 inches below it.
• In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add red-pepper flakes, and cook for about 1 minute. Remove butter from heat, and stir in orange zest and 2 tablespoons mint. Set aside.
• Season salmon well with salt and pepper and place skin-side down on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Spoon butter mixture evenly over the top of each fillet.
• Broil salmon for 4 to 6 minutes until the skin becomes opaque and the fish appears flaky. It should be medium-rare in the thickest part of the fillet. If you prefer your salmon a bit more cooked, leave it in for another minute or so, moving it to a lower rack if the tops get too dark. Serve, and scatter with remaining mint. Season with flaky salt, if desired.

GRILLED SALMON WITH BASIL AND MINT

Steps:

• Prepare grill for cooking. If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. Charcoal fire is medium-hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds. If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes.
• Brush both sides of citrus slices with 1/2 tablespoon oil, then brush fish all over with 1 tablespoon oil and season with sea salt and pepper.
• Grill citrus slices, covered only if using a gas grill, on lightly oiled grill rack, turning over once, until grill marks appear, 2 to 3 minutes total. Transfer citrus slices to a plate, then, if using a gas grill, reduce heat to moderate. Grill fish, skin sides down, covered only if using a gas grill, until skin is crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn each piece of fish onto 1 side and grill 1 minute. Turn over onto opposite side and grill until fish is just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer fish to a platter and keep warm, covered loosely with foil.
• Heat basil and mint in remaining 1/4 cup oil in a heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until herbs are just wilted, about 1 minute.
• Serve fish with herbed oil and top with citrus slices.

MINTED SALMON & PEA FISH CAKES

Steps:

• If you're using leftover cooked potatoes, mash them until they are smooth. Flake the salmon into a bowl, removing any skin and large bones. Add the peas, mint, tartare sauce and mashed potato, and season to taste. Mix well, then, using floured hands, shape into 8 flat fishcakes. Dust with flour.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the fishcakes in 2 batches for 3-4 mins each side, turning carefully with a fish slice or spatula, until golden and crisp. Serve with a squeeze of lemon and a green salad.

ROASTED SALMON WITH MINT-CAPER PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F with racks in upper and lower thirds. Coat 2 rimmed baking sheets with 1 tablespoon oil each. Divide shallots and scallions between sheets and drizzle each with 2 tablespoons oil; season generously with kosher salt and pepper. Roast, rotating pans and switching racks halfway through, until bottoms of alliums are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven; reduce temperature to 325°F. Let alliums cool, then consolidate on one sheet.
• Place salmon on top of alliums on sheet. Brush with 2 tablespoons oil; season with kosher salt and pepper. Roast on lower rack until partially opaque in center, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine remaining 1/2 cup oil, mint, almonds, capers, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a mini food processor or blender, and purée until smooth.
• Remove salmon and alliums from oven; carefully transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with flaky salt and serve with lemon wedges and pesto.