Salmon & Asparagus Salad

Before I say anything else about this salad, let me just point out that I enjoyed it and would have it again - so I'm not ruling out the prospect of this being "girl food".  Any men out there reading this might like to bear this in mind.  *wink*

However, firstly, let me point out something very important.  Today I discovered why the salmon we bought was half the price of any other type.

When I took it from its packet to wash and prepare it, I had to be very careful or my fingertips would keep sinking into the flesh.  Now that's not good - not in a salmon.  To be that soft and squidgy can only indicate one thing to me, which is that the salmon had been previously frozen.

I suspect, very strongly, that we got caught with some of the "fresh (not fresh at all) salmon" that the newspapers had been talking about recently.  Another point worth noting is that the fishmonger (or "fella who works on the fish stall at Asda") didn't advise us that the fish had been previously frozen.  I could easily have taken it home and frozen it again.  Yeuk!

I cooked the salmon in the microwave for two and a half minutes, with no extra milk or water, but covered and so it cooked in its own juice.  Its own not inconsiderable juice.  The end result had a good flavour that was mild and clean, but the flesh was so soggy it quite spoiled the meal for both hubby and Son & heir.  Because I'm a dustbin, I enjoyed mine anyway, but it would have been a lot nicer if it was firmer.

So that wasn't a good start.

I really wasn't in a good place to be making this salad today.  I forgot to season the potatoes once they were cooked, forgot to season the salad, basically it all went wrong because I was hurting too much and I suspect my mind wasn't really on the job.

However, had it have all come together in the way it was supposed to, it would have been very nice indeed.  Unless you're a boy or unless you get rubbish salmon.

SALMON & ASPARAGUS SALAD  (Serves 3)

Ingredients :

3 salmon fillets

a Little Gem lettuce or salad leaves of your choice

9 Jersey Royal new potatoes, halved

6 baby plum tomatoes, quartered

6 asparagus spears, halved lengthways

3 radishes, sliced thinly

a third of a red pepper, sliced thinly

slices of cucumber, halved

a beetroot, sliced thinly

an avocado, sliced thinly

3 tsp green pesto

6 tsp extra virgin olive oil.

Method :

1.  Put a pan of water on to boil and, when boiling, add the new potatoes.  Cook until tender then remove them with a slotted spoon to a bowl and add some butter and seasoning.  Retain the cooking liquid for the asparagus.

2.  Prepare all the salad ingredients and arrange them on either a large serving plate or individual plates, not forgetting to add a little seasoning.

3.  Prepare the dressing, by adding the extra virgin olive oil to the pesto and stirring well.

4.  Place the fish into a microwaveable dish, cover with a plate or some such ill-fitting lid (so as to allow the steam to escape) and microwave on high for two and a half minutes.  Allow to stand.

5.  While the fish is cooking, add the asparagus to the potato pan and cook for 2 minutes, then drain.

6.  Arrange the potatoes onto the salad ingredients, then arrange the asparagus.

 

7.  Drizzle with the dressing.

8.  Finally, remove the fish from the microwave and remove its skin, then place on top of the salad.

9.  Serve.

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