Simple Salmon Salad Recipe

The taste of fresh, crispy salmon in a light salad is truly irresistible! This simple salmon salad makes for an excellent starter or side dish. Perfectly poached salmon pairs up beautifully with a fresh mix of greens and other vegetables, all dressed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette.

Ingredients

300 grams salmon fillet
1 large head romaine lettuce
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1 tomato, chopped into small pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt to taste (optional)
Paprika for garnish (optional)

Cooking Method

Firstly, prepare your ingredients by slicing the red onion and cucumber as well as chopping up the tomato. Wash the romaine lettuce thoroughly and set it aside to be used in layers for the salad.

For poaching the salmon, gently place the fillet into a saucepan or pot that is large enough so the fish isn’t crowded. Add enough water just to cover the bottom of the pan, ensuring there's plenty of space for the fillet to move around freely. Season with salt and pepper and bring the water to a gentle simmer.

Cooking time for poaching will vary depending on the thickness of your salmon. A standard 1-inch thick piece would take about 4-5 minutes per side or until opaque throughout. It's essential not to overcook it, as this will toughen up the fish. Once done, remove from the heat and let it cool slightly before peeling off the skin and flaking the flesh into bite-sized pieces.

Now that you have your ingredients ready, start by making a fresh lemon vinaigrette. Whisk together two tablespoons of olive oil with one tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice in a small bowl. Taste this mixture; if it needs more zest or saltiness, adjust according to taste preferences.

Assembly

Mix the chopped romaine lettuce with sliced red onion, diced cucumber, and flaked salmon pieces gently but thoroughly so that each piece of salmon is coated in some dressing. Then carefully add all this mixture on top of a bed of fresh romaine leaves arranged neatly on your plate.

Finally, sprinkle some paprika over the top for color contrast and garnish, adding a touch more visual appeal. Serve immediately while still at room temperature or just warm from being poached. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

To make this dish even more nutritious, you could consider incorporating additional vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, or artichokes into the mix. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, adding some chili flakes to the dressing can also be quite delightful.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This recipe yields approximately 4 servings based on the ingredients listed above. Each serving contains:

Calories: ~350 kcal
Total Fat: ~18g
Saturated Fat: ~3g
Cholesterol: ~60mg
Sodium: ~300mg
Total Carbohydrates: ~7g
Fiber: ~2g
Sugars: ~4g
Protein: ~35g

Note that these figures are approximations and can vary based on specific product details or ingredient substitutions.

Conclusion

A simple salmon salad is a refreshing way to enjoy the flavor of this versatile fish without compromising its delicate taste. Its simplicity allows for easy customization according to personal tastes, making it ideal whether you're preparing something elegant for dinner guests or simply want to whip up a quick lunchtime meal.