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Salmon Caesar Salad is a delicious and nutritious dish that combines grilled or baked salmon with a classic Caesar salad.
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Homemade Caesar Salad with Salmon Filets
Caesar salad is a classic salad dish that typically consists of romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, and a dressing made from garlic, lemon juice, dijon mustard, anchovies, and mayonnaise. Adding salmon filets to a Caesar salad is a delicious way to make the dish more filling – and add some extra flavor and protein!
The salmon filets can be pan-fried as we outline below – or baked or grilled and then cut into small pieces or left in larger portions and placed on top of the salad. You can also marinate the salmon beforehand in lemon juice, olive oil, and seasonings for even more added flavor.
When serving Caesar salad with salmon, it is important to season the fish appropriately and cook it to perfection so that it complements the flavors of the salad. You can also add other ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, avocado, or sliced red onions to add some extra color and flavor to the dish.
Caesar salad with salmon is a great meal option for those who want a filling and satisfying salad that is both healthy and delicious!
How to Make Salmon Caesar Salad
- Romaine lettuce – Romaine lettuce provides a crisp and refreshing base for the salad and helps to balance out the richness of the salmon and dressing.
- Croutons – Croutons add a crunchy texture and a savory, toasty flavor to the salad.
- Parmesan cheese – Parmesan cheese provides a salty and nutty flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients in the salad.
- Garlic – Garlic in the dressing adds a pungent and savory flavor that complements the tangy lemon juice and the richness of the mayonnaise.
- Lemon juice – Lemon juice provides a bright and acidic flavor to the dressing that helps to balance out the richness of the mayonnaise.
- Dijon mustard – Dijon mustard adds a spicy and tangy flavor to the dressing, making it more complex and flavorful.
- Anchovies – Anchovies add a salty and umami flavor to the dressing, and help to deepen the overall flavor profile.
- Mayonnaise or Greek Yogurt – Mayonnaise provides a rich and creamy texture to the dressing, making it thicker and more substantial.
- Salmon Filets – Salmon filets add a succulent and rich flavor to the salad, and also provide a source of protein and healthy fats.
Once have assembled the Ingredients use the following method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or prepare your grill for medium-high heat.
- Season the salmon fillet with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake the salmon in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or grill it for 4-6 minutes per side, until it is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and minced anchovy fillets (if using).
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Serve the salmon on top of the salad, flaking it into bite-sized pieces.
You can also add other ingredients to your Salmon Caesar Salad, such as cherry tomatoes, avocado, or cucumber, to increase the variety and flavor. Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Salmon Caesar Salad
Start with fresh ingredients: For the best tasting salad, it’s important to use fresh, high-quality ingredients. Look for crisp romaine lettuce, ripe cherry tomatoes, and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Cook the salmon perfectly: To get the most out of your salmon, make sure to cook it to perfection. You can pan-fry as described below, bake it in the oven or grill it on the barbecue, but be sure to avoid overcooking, which can cause the salmon to become dry and rubbery.
Make your own dressing: To ensure that your Caesar salad is the best it can be, make your own dressing from scratch. This will allow you to control the flavors and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
Add texture: To add some extra texture to your salad, consider adding croutons, sliced red onions, or avocado.
Season the salmon: Before cooking, season the salmon with salt, pepper, and other seasonings of your choice. This will help to enhance the flavor of the fish and make it more delicious.
Balance the flavors: Be sure to taste the dressing and adjust the flavors as needed. Make sure that the dressing is tangy, creamy, and has enough salt to balance out the flavors in the salad.
FAQs
There are a few ways to determine when salmon is fully cooked:
Internal temperature: The safest and most accurate way to determine if salmon is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of fully cooked salmon should be 145°F (63°C).
Flakiness: Another way to check if salmon is fully cooked is to gently press the center of the fillet with a fork. If the salmon flakes easily, it is fully cooked.
Opacity: As salmon cooks, it will become opaque and the flesh will turn from translucent to opaque white. If the center of the fillet is still translucent, it needs more cooking time.
It’s important to not overcook the salmon, as this can cause it to become dry and lose its flavor. If you are unsure whether the salmon is fully cooked, it’s best to err on the side of caution and cook it a bit longer, as it is easier to overcook salmon than to undercook it.
Caesar salad dressing can last in the refrigerator for up to 1 week if stored properly. To store the dressing, place it in a tightly sealed container, such as a mason jar or a plastic container with a lid. It’s important to keep the dressing refrigerated, as high temperatures can cause the ingredients to spoil.
It’s also a good idea to give the dressing a sniff and a taste before using it after it has been stored for a while, as it may have developed an off odor or flavor if it has gone bad. If the dressing has a sour or rancid smell, or if it has thickened or separated, it’s best to discard it and make a fresh batch.
What to Serve With Salmon Caesar Salad
This salmon is a heart-healthy whole meal, but is delicious with lots of fresh recipes like Lemon Poppyseed Glazed Fruit Salad, Goat Cheese and Tomato Tarts, and Easy Roasted Tomatoes.
We also love serving this salad with fresh baked breads, like our Easy No Knead Bread, The Best Yeast Rolls, Easy Beer Bread, or even a slice of sweet Easy Apple Fritter Bread for dessert!
Salmon Caesar Salad Recipe
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Salmon Caesar Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 2 cups croutons
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 4 anchovy fillets chopped (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon fillets and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
- Transfer the salmon to the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until fully cooked.
- In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, croutons, parmesan cheese, and anchovy fillets (if using).
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the garlic, lemon juice, dijon mustard, mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Divide the salad among 4 plates.
- Top each plate of salad with a salmon fillet.
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper, if desired.
