Description
Salmon with Pesto and Blistered Tomatoes is a quick, healthy, and vibrant dish featuring succulent salmon fillets topped with fresh homemade basil pesto and sweet, charred cherry tomatoes. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a colorful, nutrient-packed meal perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon and Tomatoes
- 4 skin-on salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for cooking)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pesto Sauce
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (lightly toasted)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Garnishes (Optional)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Lemon wedges
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Pesto: Combine fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese in a food processor. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while blending until smooth and vibrant. Finish by adding lemon juice and a pinch of salt to enhance the brightness.
- Blister the Tomatoes: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of olive oil. Add cherry tomatoes and cook without stirring excessively until skins char and blister, releasing their natural sweetness. Lightly season with salt and then set aside.
- Cook the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a separate skillet over medium heat with a little olive oil. Place salmon skin-side down and cook until the skin is crisp and salmon is nearly cooked through. Flip briefly to cook the other side, locking in moisture and flavor.
- Assemble and Serve: Plate the salmon fillets and spoon generous amounts of pesto over the top. Arrange blistered tomatoes alongside or over the salmon. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, lemon wedges, or extra Parmesan as desired for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Use fresh basil and ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Do not overcook the salmon; aim for medium doneness to keep it flaky and moist.
- Lightly toast pine nuts before blending to enhance nuttiness.
- Cook salmon skin side down longer to achieve crispy, flavorful skin.
- Avoid stirring tomatoes too much when blistering to allow good charring and sweetness development.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing and Blistering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with tomatoes and pesto
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg