Skip to main content

Herb Capped Grilled Salmon

This is a beautiful way to prepare salmon on the grill.  No worries about salmon falling apart on the grill because you don't flip it - just cook it skin-side down and let the herb cap do all the flavoring.


[My smart sister in law taught me this!]



1.25 lb salmon fillet, skin-on (enough for 4 servings)


Herb cap:

2 Tbsp fresh mint leaves

1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves

1 Tbsp fresh oregano leaves

1 Tbsp fresh lavender leaves

2 Tbsp fresh dill, top fronds

2 cloves garlic, peeled and halved

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (I used Turkish Aleppo)

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp kosher salt

freshly ground pepper to taste


Heat gas grill to high. 


[If you are cooking herbed grilled veggies as a side, start working them first and get them on the grill first. The veggies should take a good 15 minutes while the salmon will probably take only 10-ish minutes. Only an instant-read thermometer will really tell you where you are.]


Tip the herb cap ingredients into a small food processor.  Pulse just to prepare a pesto-like consistency.


Spread herb cap on top of salmon fillet.  

Place salmon, skin-side down on hottest part of grill. Cover, and cook for about 2 minutes. Turn grill to low and cook covered another minute or two. Use an instant-read thermometer to monitor cooking progress and remove salmon at 125F for medium.  Place salmon on a plate and tent with aluminum foil.  It will continue cooking.  


USFDA says you should cook to 145F. You can decide what temperature is good for you, but be warned that cooking to 145F will make a very well-cooked, and most probably dry piece of salmon. And it will cook even more off-grill. Your choice.


Cut salmon into individual servings and serve with favorite sides.


Serves 4.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Chicken Piccata over Squid Ink Pasta

Serve this delicious lemony piccata over your favorite pasta. 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2-inch thick cutlets 1/4 cup flour 1 lemon sliced and de-seeded  2 Tbsp butter plus 1 Tbsp olive oil 2 Tbsp capers 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup dry white wine crushed red pepper flakes, to taste 8 oz squid ink pasta fresh parsley for garnish Melt butter in the oil in a skillet.  Fry the lemon slices for a few minutes, just until beginning to brown.   Set aside on a plate.  Lightly salt and pepper each chicken breast.  Dredge the chicken in the flour and brown the first side of each in the butter mixture in the skillet.  Flip to brown second side.  Cook over low heat for a total of about 15 minutes.   Meanwhile, bring 2 quarts of well-salted water to a boil for the pasta.  Cook until just al dente. Remove chicken to a plate when cooked through. Add capers and garlic to skillet a...

Umami Beef Short Ribs Samin Nosrat

This is the penultimate prep for beef short ribs.  Based on the superb documentary by Samin Nosrat, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, this is the most umami rib dish you will ever have.  Its the combination of red miso and soy sauce that marinates and flavors the beef - give it a long time to work right - that means overnight in the fridge; it's worth the planning ahead. 6 beef short ribs on the bone, about 3-4 lb 1 large sweet yellow onion, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 1 jalapeño pepper, minced 4 cloves garlic, halved Marinade: 1/4 cup red miso 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup pale dry sherry or Mirin rice wine 1 Tbsp sesame oil 1 Tbsp honey 2 cloves garlic, minced Salt the ribs generously with coarse salt and let rest overnight in the refrigerator in a resealable plastic bag. Whisk together the marinade.   Pour into the plastic bag and allow to marinate on the counter for about 2-3 hours, or again overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat...

Chicken Quinoa Veggie Bowl

This is a satisfying high veggie, high protein, low fat dinner for those who need comfort and fitness all at the same time. Quinoa: 1 cup multicolor quinoa 2 cups good chicken broth 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes 1 tsp Ajika seasoning (I used Trader Joe’s - see notes) 1 Tbsp parsley, finely minced 1/4 tsp garlic powder 3 Kirby (Israeli, or miniature) cucumbers, sliced 1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar (see notes) 1/4 cup cider vinegar Freshly ground pepper 12-14 grape tomatoes, sliced in thirds along their length 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely minced 2 Tbsp favorite vinaigrette dressing (see notes) Salad topping: 4 small Belgian endives, sliced 2 cups radicchio, torn into small pieces 2 cups arugula 2 Tbsp favorite vinaigrette dressing (see notes) 1.3 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch wide strips 1/2 Tbsp butter plus 1/2 Tbsp olive oil 8 oz sugar snap peas 1 yellow pepper, cored and sliced 1/4-inch 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 ripe avocado, halved, cored, peeled and sliced...