Sides for Salmon

Babli,Reza
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19 Comments

amysarah January 27, 2014
Lentils (French Puy, if possible) are pretty classic with salmon.

A really nice combo with salmon is Mujaddara (http://food52.com/recipes/8565-mujaddara-with-spiced-yogurt) - a lentil/rice pilaf with caramelized onions. If your salmon already has a sauce, you can skip the yogurt sauce; if not, it also goes very well with simple roast or grilled salmon. With that, I'd just add some lightly sauteed spinach, or green beans, or probably just a crisp arugula or watercress salad, for color and texture, but also as a good foil to salmon's natural fattiness.
 
Sewassbe January 27, 2014
In Norway, I was treated to salmon in a private home that was served with steamed, smashed peas. I like mine with plenty of butter, salt, and black pepper. The orange and green looked fantastic on the plate and it tasted delicious.
 
ChefJune January 27, 2014
Although salmon and sweet potatoes taste good together, they don't look good on the plate together... both of them are orange! I like to set a salmon fillet atop some gingery Swiss chard. Roasted fingerling potatoes alongside.
 
Rocky R. January 27, 2014
I just recently served salmon with Quinoa Pilaf at a dinner party and it was a winning combination. Try this recipe from Cook's Illustrated (especially note the reduced amount of liquid from most quinoa recipes):

http://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/7676-quinoa-pilaf-with-herbs-and-lemon?incode=MCSCZ00L0
 
Pegeen January 27, 2014
Rocky Rill, sounds great, but FYI you have to sign up for a complementary 14-day membership to read the recipe. You are required to provide a credit card number to start the complementary period.
 
Rocky R. January 27, 2014
Here's the recipe. Give it a try: QUINOA PILAF WITH HERBS AND LEMON From Cook's Illustrated | January/February 2014 WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS: Most recipes for quinoa pilaf turn out woefully overcooked because they call for nearly twice as much liquid as they should. We cut the water back to ensure tender grains with a satisfying bite. We toast the quinoa in a dry skillet to develop its natural nutty flavor and finish our pilaf with a judicious amount of boldly flavored ingredients. If you buy unwashed quinoa, rinse the grains in a fine-mesh strainer, drain them, and then spread them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a dish towel and let them dry for 15 minutes before proceeding with the recipe. Any soft herbs, such as cilantro, parsley, chives, mint, and tarragon, can be used. INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 cups prewashed quinoa 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces 1 small onion, chopped fine 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 3/4 cups water 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs 1 tablespoon lemon juice INSTRUCTIONS 1. Toast quinoa in medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until quinoa is very fragrant and makes continuous popping sound, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer quinoa to bowl and set aside. 2. Return now-empty pan to medium-low heat and melt butter. Add onion and salt; cook, stirring frequently, until onion is softened and light golden, 5 to 7 minutes. 3. Increase heat to medium-high, stir in water and quinoa, and bring to simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until grains are just tender and liquid is absorbed, 18 to 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking. Remove pan from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff quinoa with fork, stir in herbs and lemon juice, and serve.
 
Rocky R. January 27, 2014
Serves: 4-6
 
Kristen W. January 27, 2014
Any kind of caramelized potato is my favorite side with salmon.
 
chef E. January 26, 2014
Rice
 
Audrey H. January 25, 2014
I like broccoli and wild rice casserole. Or spinach lemon rice is good too.
 
arcane54 January 25, 2014
Garlic mashed potatoes, roasted beets and an Oregon pinot noir!
 
sexyLAMBCHOPx January 25, 2014
I like a lentil/rice mixture with salmon.
 
Declan January 25, 2014
Spinach and wild mushrooms
Light in texture, very tasty , but allows the salmon to be the main event
 
Pegeen January 25, 2014
A very cool pink and green Lilly Pulitzer menu. :-)

 
dymnyno January 25, 2014
One of my favorite sides to salmon is cucumbers. Peel, seed and cut the cucumber into small cubes and cook for a few minutes in hot butter. Sprinkle with a little minced fresh dill. The pink and green are gorgeous. You can make this either hot or cold.
 
Pegeen January 25, 2014
p.s. It's not that dill and fennel taste the same, not at all, just that they both have a very "green" taste and could compete.
 
Pegeen January 25, 2014
Fennel is great with salmon, assuming you are not making a dill sauce for the salmon. A few ideas from this site:

Crispy Delicata Squash Rings with Currant, Fennel and Apple Relish
http://food52.com/recipes/7840-crispy-delicata-rings-with-currant-fennel-apple-relish

Crispy Cream-Braised Potatoes and Fennel
http://food52.com/recipes/14606-crispy-cream-braised-potatoes-and-fennel

Celery and Fennel Gratin
http://food52.com/recipes/16599-celery-and-fennel-gratin
 
Bevi January 25, 2014
I love baked sweet potato with salmon as well. Stove top steamed baby potatoes with lots of butter and parsley are also delicious. I love green beans almondine as well.
 
ZombieCupcake January 25, 2014
Baked sweet potato with almond butter and cole slaw made with brussel sprouts
 
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