Roasted Salmon with Piquillo Pepper – Walnut Pesto and Sauteed Broccoli Rabe
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It seems like we’ve been eating a lot of salmon lately. Well, why not? Salmon is a very healthy option for the South Beach diet. It is easy to prepare since there is literally no cleaning if you buy the filets. This fish is so versatile that I use it in breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes. I’ve been experimenting with different salmon recipes lately, here is one that turned out great and as usual it is a quick and simple recipe.
Ever since I discovered the Piquillo Peppers, I always keep a jar handy. Piquillo Peppers aka Pimientos del Piquillo are of Spanish origin and these are available roasted and skinned and whole or sliced in a bottle. There are many Spanish Tapas using these peppers, salt cod stuffed piquillos being my favorite. These can be used in salads, sandwiches, pizza toppings etc. I buy these from Whole Foods Market or Spanish Table, I am sure these are available in all the speciality food stores and may even be available in regular grocery stores. If you can’t find the Piquillo peppers, you can use canned roasted red bell peppers, or roast your own red bell peppers. Piquillos have a distinguished sweet flavor which is not quite the same as the bell peppers, but those will make a close enough substitute.
This pesto is very colorful and tasty, it will make a great dip for crudités and can be used as a sandwich spread as well. I think it will be good with chicken as well, I gotta try it sometime. This will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, you can also freeze the pesto if needed.
Roasted Piquillo Pepper – Walnut pesto
Ingredients
- 6 whole roasted piquillo peppers from a bottle (or use 3 whole roasted and peeled red bell peppers)
- 1/2 cup roasted walnut pieces
- 1 tbsp crumbled feta cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- red chili flakes and salt to taste
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Method
Place all the ingredients in a food processor and process to form a smooth paste.
Roasted Salmon Filets with Pepper-Walnut Pesto
I am not giving the exact measurements, use as per taste. The above amount of pesto is plenty for 6 single serving size filets.
Ingredients
- Salmon filets
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Oil to coat the roasting pan.
- Pesto (Recipe above)
Method
Pre-heat the oven to 375F.
Grease an oven-proof non-stick pan that can comfortably hold the salmon filets.
Place the salmon filets skin side down in the pan. Season well with salt and pepper.
Bake in the pre-heated oven for 12 minutes.
Remove from the oven, and brush generous amounts of the pesto on all three sides of the filets. Return to the oven and cook for another 10 minutes till salmon is cooked through.
Serve warm with more of the pesto on the side.
Broccoli Rabe
We had the salmon with a side of sauteed Broccoli Rabe. Broccoli rabe is an Italian green, the flowers look similar to broccoli, but taste is not the same. Broccoli Rabe has a bitter taste like Kale, I would assume that not everyone will like it. It is an acquired taste I guess, I am a big fan of all bitter greens and vegetables so I love this one as well.
From some web research, it looks like the popular Italian way is to cook the rabe with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, red chili flakes and finish up with some fresh lemon juice. This is exactly what I did, and it tasted heavenly. Lemon does take away a bit of the bitterness, but it was still quite bitter, just the way I like it!
So, there it is! A healthy, tasty meal which is perfect even if you are not dieting. BTW, do make an extra salmon filet. I will post a tasty South Beach friendly breakfast recipe with the left-over salmon.
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Category: Chutneys and Dips and Pickles, Dinner Recipes, Seafood, South Beach Diet Friendly
you make dieting seem such a breeze. not to mention delicious
lovely pic!
sounds delicious! i love the pesto and agree salmon is a great fish!
What a lovely meal Sig – the salmon looks amazing and I love the pesto colour!
Looking forward to another great year of blogging! Happy New year!
Miri
The fillet looks yummy. Am not a big fan of bitter greens but u seem to be
Enjoy dieting 
Sig, gorgeous pic of salmon! Know u wd stick to ur diet,but now u r making me n many feel they r missing a big deal!:D
the pepper pesto looks delish. and I shall try your way of cooking greens with whatever greens I can find… mustard greens are in season here.
Sig, Happy New Year!
That salmon looks so good. Its hard to fall off the wagon with this kind of amazing food. Broccoli rabe – gotta try this one, I have seen it but never bought it.
I keep thinking diets must be easy if you get ready cuts of meat/fish like you seem to. It’s such a tiresome process here, and I don’t trust the frozen stuff available!
Love this combo Sig…Salmon is my fav 2. BTW Happy new year to you…And you r doing fab w/ ur weight program.
What a lovely dish! I love the pesto, & we do salmon a few times a month too.
I have been blogging for 4 months now & I never came here. What a lovely place u have here!
somehow never got to Salmon !! gonna watch out for these. i need to google for tips on how to buy a gud piece of salmon though !
Hey SIg, WIsh you both a very Happy and Fun filled New Year!
Hello,
it’s my first time here, and enjoying clicking your mouth watering recipe. I’ll be back for sure.
Cheers,
Elra
The pesto sounds DELICIOUS !
Happy New Year Sig.I loved the idea of the walnut pesto. Need to look for the roasted piquillo peppers.
That pesto sounds delicious and versatile!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Sig. Wishing you a tasty and exciting 2009!
Hi Sig, awesome pic!! Love the idea of more salmon in a diet:-) Happy New Year!
Hi… Salmon looks perfect. Loved the walnut pesto, nice recipe, will try it soon. YUM!
thank you, sig for your wishes. happy new year to you and your family too! i’m sure 2009 is gonna be wonderful!
[...] to keep it interesting. This frittata is the result of such an experiment. Remember my last post – Roasted Salmon with Piquillo Pepper – Walnut Pesto ? If you try that recipe, do make an extra salmon filet, as that would come in handy for a delicious [...]