Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Broiled salmon with tropical pineapple and tomatillo salsa


Like many of you, my new year’s resolutions include eating light and eating less. Combined with a rigorous exercise program, I’m hoping to shed a few pounds that always seen to find their way into my life around holiday time.

I have fallen head over heels in love with fruit salsas since I first tasted them at Little Moir’s Food Shack in Jupiter, Florida. You might remember I prepared the Food Shack’s version of fruit salsa and served it with salmon a while back.  Their salsa is sweet, spicy and hot all at the same time and it just bursts in your mouth with flavor. I love fruit salsas so much that I serve them with an endless number of things – fish, shrimp, chicken, pork – you name it. The fruit combinations are endless and you can make the salsas spicy or mild.

When I spotted this recipe for tomatillo red onion salsa served over roasted salmon in Cooking Light’s 5 Ingredients 15 Minutes book, I was drawn right away to the colorful green tomatillos and red onion salsa that was spooned over the pretty pink salmon. The main flavor in the salsa was tomatillos, those little green things with the papery skin that look like tomatoes but are really members of the gooseberry family. They have a tart, subtle apple flavor. I decided to give the salsa a tropical twist by substituting a little pineapple for some of the tomatillos.  If you want to make the salsa with just tomatillos, omit the pineapple and use three tomatillos instead of two. This is a beautiful dish, worthy of company.


Don’t leave out the sweet smoked Spanish paprika, also called pimenton de la Vera. It gives the fish a very subtle, smoked flavor. Smoked paprika used to be difficult to find, but I’ve seen it from McCormick in my local supermarket. However, if you can find the Spanish one in the red tin (La Chinta, available from La Tienda and gourmet shops), I think it is superior. Its artisan quality is generally accepted as the best. It’s grown, smoked and milled in the micro-climate of La Vera, not far from where Columbus presented the first plants to Ferdinand and Isabella. How cool is that?

Broiled salmon with tropical pineapple and tomatillo salsa
Adapted from Cooking Light 5 Ingredients 15 Minutes

4 (6 ounce) wild caught salmon filets (about an inch thick)
1 tablespoon grape seed oil, or other neutral oil, such as canola
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1½ teaspoons sweet Spanish smoked paprika (pimenton)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Tropical pineapple and tomatillo sauce (recipe below)
Lemon wedges for garnish

Preheat the oven to broil. Arrange the pieces of fish in one layer, skin side down, on an unheated broiler tray or large sheet pan lined with heavy duty foil for easier clean-up. Smear the fish with the canola and season with cumin, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper. Place the fish under the broiler about six to seven inches from the source of heat. Broil about six minutes or just until the pieces are cooked through. It’s not necessary to turn the fish. If the fish begins to brown too much, turn the oven to 400 degrees F and bake for a few minutes until they achieve your desired doneness. Remember not to overcook it because if you do, it becomes dry. Serve with tropical salsa and a wedge of fresh lemon. Serves 4.



Tropical pineapple and tomatillo salsa
It may sound strange to use salt and pepper on fruit, but don’t omit this step. It helps bring out the flavor of the fruit. 

1/3 cup chopped tomatillos (2 medium), see instructions below
1/3 cup chopped fresh pineapple
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Remove the papery skin from the tomatillos, wash them well and pat them dry before chopping. Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Serve with broiled salmon. Yield 4 servings. This salsa would also be excellent with grilled chicken or pork.

This will be linked to Food on Friday at Carole's Chatter. 


62 comments:

  1. I love fun salsas! Though I admit I love them on the side more than on fish, but I would just serve the two side by side (love salmon!) and call it a party on my plate!

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  2. Sam - This looks super good and although I've avoided dishes with a sweetness to them all my life, I've developed a taste for the sweet tart of fruit salsa's as well.

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  3. This looks delicious! I need to see if I can find the Spanish Paprika. We've never had tomatillos before so it will be a neat experience.

    FlowerLady

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  4. Can't beat a tangy salsa to lighten up oily salmon. Great pairing.

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  5. Wow..I love this recipe...I surely have problem to find tomatillos...but anyway I would like to taste it!!
    Have a great day, ciao Flavia

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  6. Sam, I am loving your tomatillo & pineapple salsa. Sounds really apertizing and such a fantastic pair. Yumm... Hope you will lost a few pounds soon. :o) Have a great day.
    BLessings, Kristy
    p/ btw, the smoked paprika sounds great! Hope I can get it here too.

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  7. What a colorful meal. I imagine that would be delicious over grilled chicken or pork or just about anything. Yum.

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  8. Fruit salsas make everything look fancy!

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  9. We all want so much to move over to a healthy eating lifestyle. This dish would be most welcome on my menus for 2011 Sam.

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  10. Sam you certainly have a good eye for composition your dishes are looking so good and this fruity salsa sounds like it would be delicious on all kinds of grilled meats...

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  11. Watching my diet is so much easier this year than in the past because I'm finding so many great recipes, many from Cooking Light. I agree, Sam, fruit salsa is wonderful with seafood. I look forward to trying this beautiful dish.

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  12. Not only is this dish light, it looks like a burst of summer--sorely missed right now. I'm off to check out your earlier fruit salsa as well.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  13. Hi Sam! I love combining fruit with savoury dishes - my favourite is to add grapes, nectarines and berries to salads, or to eat pineapple on just about anything! That salmon looks so good...unfortunately, it's super expensive to buy salmon in South Africa (bank breaking if you want to feed 4 people), so we substitute with locally-farmed trout down here. Definitely going to try this.

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  14. Fresh tomatillo and fruit based salsas are a must with fish!

    Salmon is hands down my favorite (I love all of the salmon recipes you have featured on your blog) and I will be keeping an eye out for this smoked paprika...it all looks wonderful!

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  15. I am just starting to see tomatilloes here.. Now I will know what to make..I love that sweet paprika too..Thank you~

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  16. Sam, this recipe has my mouth watering and it is only 9:15 here in the morning!

    What would you serve as a side to this healthy meal? That is where I always get stumped.
    Hugs,
    Penny
    p.s. thanks for the well wishes. I am healing. Suppose to go to therapy today, but we might not make it, because of the snow.

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  17. Thank-you for the perfect weekday dinner! Salsas add so much flavor and color) to a meal - particularly welcome in the dreary winter days. 2010 was my conversion to Spanish paprika- so happy it is easily found these days.

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  18. What a beautiful presentation. Of course all these ingredients are readily available here. I have some smoked Spanish paprika from Penzey"s Spices...so I'm good to go!

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  19. Looks delish! What would you recommend as a tomatillo substitute? Don't think I'll be able to find them in Paris...

    La Mom
    An American Mom in Paris

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  20. Sunshine in the plate! Thatz dish is so appetizing looking. What gorgeous flavors.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  21. It's hard to find a good tomatillo in Canada. What a nice plate. I am committed to eat healthier this month also.

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  22. Sam, this just looks scrumptious! And thanks for the tip on the paprika. That's nice to know.

    I'm still under the weather. Thought I had crawled out from under it, but I had a relapse. When I get up and out again, though, I want to try this recipe. It really does look great!

    Hope all is well with you and Meakin and that you are enjoying the warmer weather down here. Looks like all of our friends north of the Sunshine State are in for some tough weather. Ice in Georgia and Mississippi from what I've read this morning. I pray it stays away from Florida.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  23. Sam, that looks and sounds delicious. We had silver salmon last night, grilled. Now shouldn't you have posted this earlier? lol Definitely will be what we try next grill. Thank you.

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  24. Yes please, I would like to eat that.

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  25. that plate looks so elegant and delicious:) thanks for sharing this post.

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  26. I love the little addition of the pimenton. What a fantastic way to start the new year with healthy fish and great fruit salsa. Kudos to you for your fitness routine as well.

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  27. Salmon is frequently on our dinner menu so I'm always looking for new ways to make it...I love how fast broiling it is! I will definitely be making this. (Love the salas you served with it too!)

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  28. Sounds, and look, delightful - a light and sunny dish to combat the winter blues for us northerners. Must try to locate some of that pimenton.

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  29. That salmon looks gorgeous.....I bought that brand of pimenton at TJ Maxx of all places in their gourmet food aisle! It's the best.

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  30. I'm a big fan of fruit salsas -- will give this one a try after i find some pimenton.

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  31. I didn't know how else to reach you but wanted to let you know I got my book today and it is wonderful. I held off til I had done Dec 31st blog post so I could have from when I started in Sept til the end of the year. Thank you so much for that lovely win.

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  32. Sam - This salmon dish is gorgeous! I can see why this recipe would draw you in. This is one of those meals where you really feel like you are indulging, and indeed you are, but it's healthy. Terrific.

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  33. I'm with you Sam, I love fruit salsas. Love the idea of adding the paprika, looks healthy and delicious.

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  34. Sam, This is definitely something we will be making. Seems like we are all on the same page.

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  35. Sam, I like the sound of a combination of pineapple and tomatillo for salsa! I am getting tired of the tomato mango or tomato peach salsa I usually use.

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  36. I love salmon, and like you I'm trying to loose weight! I've got to loose the holiday pounds that i lost before the holiday! Yikes, a never ending battle! I also love fruit salsa's. I have an apple salsa that's delicious, would you like it? Yesterday I had salmon oscar, I'll bet you'd like that also! I'll try to get you the recipe. Have a wonderful day!

    Mary

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  37. I keep on trying to make a fruit salsa but usually end up making a fruit salad and a regular salsa :) can't wait to try out this recipe though, it looks great!

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  39. Wow!! That Pineapple Salsa has miles of opportunities in my kitchen....I will be using that over and over....Thanks...you are the best!

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  40. Back to look at your recipe, Sam! That photograph just makes me want to pull out my fork and dive right on in... yum!

    Sitting here, still on the mend, and hoping to break out of this prison soon. The walls are starting to close in, and I've got to remember to turn on the outside water tonight and let it run. Hope y'all don't get this cold.

    Warm hugs...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  41. That salsa looks divine, Sam. A natural with so many things, my mind boggles.
    Can't wait to try it.
    ( I also must try Little Moir's Food Shack, although I don't get to Jupiter as much as I used to.)
    I have a lovely new can of smoked paprika I bought for the cranberry bean soup I posted! Wouldn't want it to go to waste. :)

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  42. I have that exact brand of smoked paprika, and you have just decided me on what to have for dinner tonight :-)

    robyn x

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  43. The salmon sounds wonderful especially with the smoked paprika which I love so much! And just lovely with the tropical refreshing flavors of the pineapple tomatillo salsa!

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  44. What a wonderful way to enhance salmon. I just bought some smoked paprika and looking for ways that I can use it; thank you for shring this; your photo is great!

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  45. I fell in love with tomatillos this summer. My thought was how great this pineapple tomatillo salsa would be with jerk chicken thighs.

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  46. Sam, this salmon dish looks so pretty and I absolutely love the idea of tropical flavor...nicely presented :-)

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  47. Good Morning Sam Sweetie...
    Oh my gosh what a wonderful share today. I love, love the sound of this recipe, and have already copied it down. I can't wait to give it a try.

    Yes I have given up carbs to get healthier this year, (breads, pastas, potatoes, all sweets except for fruit) and I am looking for new recipes. This one sounds so wonderful. I thank you for the share and I can't wait to give it a try.

    Have a beautiful weekend sweetie. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

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  48. Great recipe, love the salsa. Yes,, I want to eat lighter too.

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  49. You are making me want to go out and get some salmon and fruit to make this salsa! Love the paprika and cumin you used on the fish.

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  50. Looks fantastic. I am a big fan of tomatillos.

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  51. Sam, what a marvelous recipe! My husband announced his crash diet just before the holidays !!! and this would be perfect! Not to mention delicious! Happy New Year, my friend, and all the best for 2011!

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  52. It is dishes like this one that take a cold day and turn it into a day of sunshine. This looks fabulous. A wonderful recipe for a healthy diet.

    Velva

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  53. I love this recipe for fresh salsa with salmon, I agree this is a dish worthy of company and lucky company they will be;-)
    Happy New Year Sam, I look forward to your blog posts in the new year:)

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  54. wow this is my kind of meal and adore smoked paprika yum yum yum :-)

    all the best with getting healthy your recipes all are anyways hugs

    Rebecca

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  55. I love the idea of the salmon with the salsa. But it is so cold here that this recipe will have to wait until summer for me. Anyway, I am taking it with me.

    Thanks for sharing,

    Mely

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  56. I've been thinking more about fish myself. I used to eat it a lot. I've really never made fruit salsas, but this recipe would be a great start. The freshness and brightness is really appealing.

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  57. The tropical flavors in this fruit salsa is so inspiring. I think it's time that I accompany some of my meat dishes with this refreshing and bright salsa.

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  58. I've not thought about fruit salad at this time of year, but on reflection it just might add sparkle to these dark days. This sounds delicious, Sam I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  59. I have seen these little tomatillos at Harry’s Farmers Market here (it is owned by Whole Food) but never bought them as I did not know how to use them. So now I’ll buy them for sure and use your recipe – it really looks and sounds so good with salmon.

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  60. This is right up my ally, and I just got some smoked paprika!

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  61. Tomatillos are wonderful. I have not had them with salmon before, but they are a must for any salsas and Spanish sauces I make. They are beautiful to look at and they burst with flavor. I think they deserve a more widespread reputation. Thanks for the post! - Gary

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  62. Salmon is one of those wonderful foods for those of us trying to eat in more healthy ways! I fell in love with fruit salsas a few years ago too and they are so awesome on fish! My husband and I just bought two bikes to get out and get more exercise to amp up this health focus of ours. Be well Sam!

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