pesto rubbed baked salmon with smashed cucumber and green apple salad

Salmon

Pesto Rubbed Baked Salmon with Smashed Cucumber and Green Apple Salad

Pesto-rubbed baked salmon pairs aromatic, herbaceous pesto with tender, flaky salmon, served alongside a refreshing smashed cucumber and green apple salad. This dish balances rich flavors with crisp, tangy freshness for a vibrant, healthy meal.

Ingredients

unsalted butter, softened, as needed
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
six 6-ounce skinless salmon fillets, preferably wild
3 tablespoons prepared pesto
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 english cucumber, peeled
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup finely diced pitted medjool dates (about 6)
2 green apples, cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
juice of 1 lemon

Directions

For the salmon: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
Brush a baking dish with a thin coat of softened butter and sprinkle a little salt and pepper over the surface. Set the salmon fillets upright (flat-side down) on the baking dish, brush a little soft butter over each fillet and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, whisk the pesto, mustard and lemon juice together and season it with salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture evenly over the salmon, covering the top surface only. Bake until the desired doneness, about 14 minutes for medium rare for 1 1/2-inch-thick fillets (cook longer for thicker pieces).
For the salad: Meanwhile, put the cucumber into a clean towel on a cutting board and smash it with the heel of your hand. Unwrap the cucumber and slice it crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces; transfer them to a mixing bowl and sprinkle a little salt over them. Add the dates and apples and stir to mix. Add the pine nuts, olive oil, mint and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper, and toss until evenly combined.
Serve the salmon fillets on warm plates with the salad on the side.