Pan-fried Salmon with Vegetables

A simple and delicious recipe to prepare pan-fried salmon with vegetables follows and can be easily customized based on the vegetables you prefer or have available.

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets (about 150-200g each)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lemon
• Vegetables of your choice (for example, asparagus, zucchini, peppers)
• Garlic (1 clove)
• Aromatic herbs (for example, rosemary or thyme)

Preparation

1. Thoroughly wash the vegetables, cut them into pieces, and peel if necessary.
2. In a large pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and lightly sauté a clove of garlic to flavor the oil. Then remove the garlic.
3. Add the vegetables to the pan and sauté for about 5-10 minutes (depending on the vegetable) or until they are cooked but still crunchy. Season with salt and pepper and, if desired, with a bit of lemon juice or aromatic herbs. Once ready, transfer them to a plate and keep warm.
4. In the same pan, add another drizzle of oil and place the salmon fillets skin-side down. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, then gently flip them and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes or until the salmon is cooked to the desired doneness. During cooking, squeeze lemon juice over the fillets and add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Put the vegetables back in the pan with the salmon for a couple of minutes, just to warm them up and mix the flavors.

Serve the salmon immediately with warm vegetables, garnishing the plate with lemon slices and, if desired, a sprig of aromatic herbs for a touch of freshness.

Curiosity

Salmon is an extremely versatile and healthy fish, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. In Italy, salmon is often served raw, as in sushi or sashimi, or smoked. However, pan-frying brings out its tenderness and pairs well with extra virgin olive oil and lemon, creating a dish rich in Mediterranean flavors.