Crispy Salmon with Avocado Sauce

Ingredients:

1 large English hothouse cucumber, very thinly sliced into rounds
5 Tbsp. (or more) fresh lime juice, divided
1 tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided, plus more
1 large avocado, halved, pit removed
4 scallions, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, diced
1/2 - 1 med jalapeño, stem and seeds removed - I used just a 1/4 of the pepper, I like just a little spice
½ tsp. ground cumin
¼ cup plus 1 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
2 cups (lightly packed) cilantro leaves with tender stems
4- 6-oz. skin-on salmon fillets
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
STEP 1: Toss 1 large English hothouse cucumber, very thinly sliced into rounds, 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, and ¼ - ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a medium bowl to combine, massaging with your hands until cucumber begins to soften and become more pliable. Set aside.

STEP 2: Scoop flesh from 1 large avocado, halved, pit removed, into a blender or food processor; add 4 scallions, coarsely chopped, 2 diced garlic cloves, 1/2 - 1 jalapeño chile, stem and seeds removed, ½ tsp. ground cumin, ¼ cup olive oil, ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, remaining 3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, and 3 Tbsp. room temperature water and blend until smooth. Add 2 cups (lightly packed) cilantro leaves with tender stems and blend just until mostly smooth with some flecks of cilantro remaining. Taste sauce and add more lime juice and/or season with more salt if needed.

STEP 3: Season four 4–6-oz. skin-on salmon fillets generously with salt. Pour remaining 1 Tbsp. olive oil into a cold large nonstick skillet, arrange salmon, skin side down, in pan, and place over medium heat. Cook, undisturbed, until skin is deep brown, 8–10 minutes. Turn and cook on other side until surface is opaque, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. (You can cook the salmon any way you want to, Oven bake pan sear or grill)

STEP 4: Divide sauce among plates; place salmon, skin side up, on top. Scoop reserved cucumbers over with a slotted spoon.

Paired with Aragosta Vermentino Di Sardegna DOC
Adapted from Bon Appétit September 2025

Crispy Salmon with Avocado Sauce

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