GRILLED SALMON WITH SMASHED CUCUMBER-DATE SALAD

Grilled Salmon with Smashed Cucumber-Date Salad image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Ingredients

One 2 1/2-pound center-cut skin-on salmon fillet, cut into 6 equal pieces
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 English (hothouse) seedless cucumbers, peeled and cut into 8 pieces
3/4 cup finely sliced fennel, feathery fronds reserved for the garnish
6 Medjool dates, pitted and cut in slivers
1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (1/2 a large lemon)
6 tablespoons fruity olive oil (preferably from Spain)
Medium-coarse sea salt (preferably Maldon from England)
Fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

Prepare the salmon: Prepare a charcoal fire in an outdoor grill (alternatively, cook the salmon indoors on a grill pan); the coals should be medium-hot and the rack should be positioned about 6 inches from the fire. Place the salmon fillets on a cutting board, skin-side down. Cut down the center of each fillet lengthwise along the center seam. Cut through the flesh but not the skin. Draw the salmon flesh apart at the incision, flattening the fillets, leaving them skin-side down. Fold each fillet into a horseshoe shape, bending it back onto itself, so it resembles a boneless salmon steak. Brush each piece of fish lightly on both sides with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper.
Grill the salmon just until the flesh firms and grill marks appear, about 2 1/2 minutes on the first side and about 1 1/2 minutes on the second side. Rotate each fillet one quarter-turn (90 degrees) and grill just long enough to mark the fillets, completing a cross-hatch pattern, less than 1 minute. Turn the fillets over and repeat the grilling and rotating procedure until the other sides show the cross-hatch grill markings. Remove the fish from the grill and reserve. (The salmon can be grilled up to 1 hour in advance of the meal.)
Prepare the salad: Roll the cucumber pieces up in a clean linen napkin or towel, and then smash them, pressing down hard with the heels of your hands while ensuring the towel doesn't unroll, to release the juices. Transfer the crushed cucumbers to a cutting board, and then coarsely chop. Combine the cucumbers, sliced fennel, dates, walnuts, chives and some of the fennel fronds in a salad bowl and mix gently.
Finish cooking the salmon and dress the salad: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the salmon fillets in a baking dish, brush each one lightly with extra-virgin olive oil and roast about 3 1/2 minutes for medium-rare.
Meanwhile, dress the cucumber salad with the lemon juice and 4 tablespoons of fruity olive oil. Then season with sea salt and pepper. Toss the salad lightly, and then arrange equal portions on each of six plates. Top each portion of salad with a grilled salmon fillet. Drizzle a little fruity olive oil on top of each portion, garnish each plate with fennel fronds and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 546, Fat 33 grams, SaturatedFat 4.5 grams, Cholesterol 110 milligrams, Sodium 437 milligrams, Carbohydrate 22 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 45 grams, Sugar 17 grams