Pesto Salmon with Zucchini Noodles

One of my favorite, classic dinnertime combinations is fish with vegetables. 

Here we have pan-fried salmon on top of zucchini noodles with pesto sauce. It's somehow filling yet light, healthy but not bland. You could easily swap out the salmon for whatever fish you have in your home, try a different sauce, or peel up squash, carrots or another tasty vegetable. It's an easy dish to tailor to your tastes.

Makin' noodles

Serves 2

Tools:

·      Veggetti, Spiralizer or vegetable peeler

·      Strainer

·      Mixing bowl

·      Two large sautee pans

·      Tongs or a large non-metal spatula

·      Paper towels

Ingredients:

·      2 (8-ounce) center cut salmon fillets, skin on (I get mine from Fresh Direct)

·      Two large, or three medium zucchinis

·      Pre-made pesto sauce (or check out my EASY classic pesto recipe )

·      Olive oil (mine’s from Costco)

·      Sprinkle of coarse salt and ground pepper

·      Pinch of chili powder

Directions:

1)    About an hour before you plan to serve dinner, spiralize your zucchini. If you don’t have time to prep ahead of time, that’s ok.

2)    Place the vegetable noodles into a strainer over a mixing bowl, and sprinkle with salt. Let sit, so the water can drain out of the zucchini. About an hour.

3)    When you’re ready to cook, press the noodles down with a paper towel to absorb more moisture.

4)    Heat a tablespoon or two of olive oil in a large sautee pan on medium heat. Once hot, add the zucchini noodles, tossing for 4 or 5 minutes. Set the pan to low to keep warm, while you cook the salmon.

5)    Gently rinse the salmon with cold water. Pat dry, and sprinkle with salt, pepper and chili powder to taste.

6)    In a second sautee pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil on medium high. When hot, place each piece of salmon in the pan, skin side up.

7)    Cook salmon for about two minutes, then using tongs or a spatula, carefully flip the fish.

8)    Cook salmon on the second side for about 5 minutes, or to your desired level of done-ness. You can watch the color change up the side of the fish.

9)    Divide the warm zucchini noodles onto two plates, and serve each dish with a piece of salmon. Top with pesto.

10)  Buon appetito!