Seared Salmon with Pine Nut, Caper and Fennel Topping

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  • Yield:

    4 Servings
  • Cuisine:

    American
  • Course:

    Dinner


Ingredients

1/2 cup pine nuts
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 about 3 tablespoons shallot, finely chopped
1/2 medium fennel bulb, cored, finely chopped
3 tablespoons capers, drained
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh orange zest
2 tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon + 1/8 teaspoon salt, divided
4 6-7 ounce skin-on salmon fillets
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and cook, shaking pan often, until lightly browned, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer the pine nuts to a medium bowl.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and fennel; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, 3-4 minutes. Add the capers and cook 1 minute. Transfer to the bowl with the pine nuts. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and orange zest. Let cool 5 minutes before adding the basil and 1/8 teaspoon of the salt; reserve.
  3. Season the salmon with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Heat the skillet over medium heat until very hot. Add the salmon, flesh side down and cook until nicely browned, 5 minutes. Flip the salmon over and continue cooking until the skin is crisp and the salmon cooked through but still slightly translucent in the center, 4-5 minutes longer. Place a salmon fillet on each of 4 serving plates and top with the pine nut mixture. Serve immediately.