Pan-Seared Salmon with Herbed Lemon Quinoa
Ingredients
- 2 fillets (6 ounces each)salmon fillets (skin-on)
- 1 cupquinoa
- 2 cupsvegetable broth
- 1 wholelemon
- ¼ cupfresh parsley
- 2 tablespoonsfresh dill
- 2 clovesgarlic
- 3 tablespoonsolive oil
- 1 teaspoonkosher salt
- ½ teaspoonblack pepper
Prep
- 01
Mince 2 cloves garlic.
- 02
Chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley.
- 03
Chop 2 tablespoons fresh dill.
Method
- 01
Bring 2 cups vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in 1 cup quinoa and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
- 02
While quinoa cooks, pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- 03
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, place salmon skin-side up in the pan and cook for 4 minutes without moving, until the skin is crispy and golden.
- 04
Flip salmon gently and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more until cooked through (the flesh should be opaque and flake easily). Transfer to a plate.
- 05
In the empty skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and cook the minced garlic over medium heat for 30 seconds until fragrant. Zest the lemon into the pan, then juice half the lemon over the cooked quinoa and toss gently with the garlic oil, chopped parsley, and fresh dill.
- 06
Divide quinoa between plates, top each with a salmon fillet, and serve with lemon wedges.
Spice Tips
To deepen flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the quinoa. For warmth, dust the salmon with a light pinch of cayenne before searing. A touch of Dijon mustard mixed into the oil adds subtle depth.