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Seared Salmon with Smashed Peas

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Perfectly crisp fish with the most to-die-for pea topping: this Seared Salmon with Smashed Peas is perfect for tonight’s dinner!

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Let’s be real, peas don’t sound that exciting. My mom was honestly super skeptical of this recipe, which rarely happens. Don’t worry, after tasting this Seared Salmon with Smashed Peas, I proved her wrong. Honestly, I haven’t always liked peas, either. It’s not that they were ever that bad, it’s just that they reminded me of what I used to eat in the high chair (just me?). Then, a few weeks back, I tried a pea and quinoa salad, and my life was changed. I am now pea obsessed!! 

Now, I’m still not going to run out and eat a bag of frozen peas, but, when prepared with a combination of herbs, lemon, and Parmesan like in this Seared Salmon with Smashed Peas, they’re heavenly. You’ve got to give the peas a shot! Plus, this topping could not be any easier. Start by mashing your peas with a fork until they form a paste, but still have some full peas left. Then, toss those peas with some parm, lots of garlic, fresh basil and mint, olive oil, lemon, and dried tarragon… oh, and of course salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, but I pretty much put those on everything! 

As for substitutions, the basil and mint really should be fresh, as they take up a whopping cup of the pea topping. On the other hand, the tarragon could go either way. If you wanted to use fresh tarragon, I would up the amount to 2 tsp. Also, you could easily substitute the Parmesan for another cheese, but Parmesan is my all time favorite (as you may be able to tell from my recipes lol). Although a little milder, Pecorino Romano is always a good substitution… and feel free to use shredded vs grated… whatever’s easiest! 

Speaking of easy, let’s talk about that salmon…

It couldn’t be simpler, but is truly one of the best ways to prepare the fish, especially when in a hurry. The simple spice rub gives you a decadent crust, especially when sealed in with some lemon juice and olive oil. Personally, I like to use a very flavorful olive oil for the fish… it really does make a difference. I feel like every kitchen should have one, “fancier” olive oil for times like this, and then of course an everyday, more neutral olive oil. But, you could also use any other oil of choice like avocado or canola oil.

With a good coating of oil, the next key step in achieving a perfect crust is to only flip the salmon once. I know it might be tempting to keep flipping, poking, and playing with the salmon whilst on the stove, but leaving it alone is really the best idea. Then, after 3-5 minutes, the fish should be easily removable from the skillet, so you know it is ready to flip. With only one flip, it will be much easier to get a crust that doesn’t peel away. 

With this fool-proof salmon method and mouth-watering topping, tonight’s dinner will be a huge success! Leave me a comment if you made it!

Seared Salmon with Smashed Peas

Recipe by Annie PatrickCourse: Main Course, Lunch, DinnerDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Total time

15

minutes

Perfectly crisp fish with the most to-die-for pea topping: this Seared Salmon with Smashed Peas is perfect for tonight’s dinner!

Ingredients

  • Salmon:
  • 4 salmon fillets

  • 2 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp ground coriander

  • ½ tsp ground cumin

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • 1 lemon

  • 2 tbsp olive oil (or olive oil spray)

  • Smashed Pea Topping:
  • 1 10oz package of frozen peas, thawed

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

  • ⅓ cup parmesan, grated

  • ½ cup fresh basil, chopped

  • ½ cup fresh mint, chopped

  • 3 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 lemon, juiced

  • ½ tsp dried tarragon

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Red pepper flakes, to taste

Instructions

  • Pat dry salmon fillets. Rub generously with the spices and drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil (or spray with olive oil). Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, mash peas with a fork or potato masher. Stop mashing when there are only a few whole peas left. Combine with remaining ingredients.
  • Heat a grill pan or skillet over high heat until hot. Place salmon flesh side down, and sear for 3-5 minutes on each side. Do not flip more than once! You will know it is ready to flip when the salmon easily comes off with the spatula.
  • Top salmon with smashed peas and enjoy!
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