Cilantro-Lime Salmon: A Quick Dish for Those Summer Nights

Although it has felt like Summer for a while now, the first official day of Summer, the summer solstice, just occurred this past weekend. Now that we’re official, it’s time to simmer down and grill out summer deliciousness. There are certain dishes that are perfect for a summer dinner. This cilantro-lime salmon is one of those dishes that can certainly be enjoyed year-round, but lends its lightness to a hot summer lunch or dinner course. It tastes fresh and lean and looks bright on the plate. The cilantro-lime glaze hits the right sweet and savory notes on the palate. And it’s easy; I cooked the fish and glaze in one pan in under 30 minutes.

Accompanying Summer Solstice weekend this year was Father’s Day, and my husband of 21 years and father of my four sons happens to be a big fan of cilantro. When he makes the grocery run, you can bet a few bunches of fresh cilantro will come to the kitchen to be added to homemade salsas, salads, soups and omelettes. (I’ll write a post about Chad’s Homemade Salsa soon. Every time he makes it, I say we are going to jar it for gifts. It’s so good.) However, as you probably already know, cilantro is one of those herbs people usually love or don’t love as much. My precious angel Momma use to half-jokingly exclaim, after tasting my hubby’s dish, “that cilantro tastes like soap.” She was of the “don’t love cilantro as much” opinion. So if you think cilantro “tastes like soap,” there are substitutes, like fresh parsley.

When looking for a dish for Father’s Day lunch, I knew cilantro would be a key ingredient for our Daddy of the House. I adapted a Cilantro-Lime Salmon recipe from http://delish.com. I used olive oil instead of butter, because we try to use less dairy products, and I added two teaspoons of fresh, chopped ginger to the glaze because I love ginger. A low-carb side-dish option is to use cauliflower for a rice substitute over which to serve your salmon.

Ingredients

4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil (2 tbsp. to cook salmon and reserve 2 tbsp. for the glaze)

4 (6-oz.) salmon fillets

Kosher Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. fresh ginger, minced

1/2 c. low-sodium vegetable broth

1/4 c. freshly squeezed lime juice (reserve a couple slices for garnish)

2 tbsp. honey

1/2 tsp. cumin

1/4 c. freshly chopped cilantro, plus extra for garnish

Directions

1. In a large skillet (I prefer a nonstick skillet) over medium-high heat, heat oil. Season salmon all over with salt and pepper, then add to skillet skin-side up. Cook salmon until deeply golden, about 6 minutes, then flip over and cook 2 more minutes. Transfer to a plate.

2. Add rest of oil, garlic and ginger to the pan and saute’ for 30 seconds. Then stir in broth, lime juice, honey and cumin. Bring mixture to a simmer and then stir in cilantro.

3. Reduce heat to medium and add salmon back to the skillet. Simmer until the sauce has reduced and the salmon is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes more.

4. Garnish with more cilantro and serve with a side of your choice.

A little insight about this dish, which includes ingredients known to have nutritional benefits. In some parts of the world, people refer to cilantro as coriander. In the United States, cilantro refers to the leaves and coriander refers to the seeds. Cilantro is known to be a good source of antioxidants and boasts a number of other health benefits. http://medicalnewstoday.com. Limes add vitamin C and other nutrients. Ginger has a bioactive compound, Gingerol, which is said to promote anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects http://healthline.com.

I hope you enjoy this Cilantro-Lime Salmon on one of those Summer nights. Until then, may your Summer days be long and your Summer meals be delicious.