Lemony Salmon and Pasta

Name: Lemony Salmon and Pasta
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 1 whole garlic bulb; 1 tablespoon water; 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 5 tablespoons Cajun seasoning; 3 tablespoons honey; 1 salmon fillets (2 pounds), cut into 2-inch pieces; 3 plum tomatoes, quartered; 1 medium sweet red pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips; 1 medium sweet yellow pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips; 1 large red onion, sliced; 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta; LEMON SAUCE:; 1/3 cup butter, cubed; 1/4 cup olive oil; 3 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel; 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley; 1/2 teaspoon salt; Dash dried tarragon; Dash cayenne pepper; 1/3 cup pitted ripe olives; 1/4 cup sunflower kernels, toasted

I served this at a small dinner party once, and it was so well received I've served it many times since. It has a zippy combination of flavors. The salmon veggies all complement each other. —Coleen Martin

Ingredients

1 whole garlic bulb
1 tablespoon water
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
5 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
3 tablespoons honey
1 salmon fillets (2 pounds), cut into 2-inch pieces
3 plum tomatoes, quartered
1 medium sweet red pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 large red onion, sliced
8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
LEMON SAUCE:
1/3 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash dried tarragon
Dash cayenne pepper
1/3 cup pitted ripe olives
1/4 cup sunflower kernels, toasted

Directions

Cut top off garlic bulb, leaving root end intact. Place cut side up in a small ungreased baking dish; drizzle water around the garlic. Slowly drizzle 1 tablespoon oil into center of bulb. Cover and bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until garlic is very soft. Cool for 5 minutes. Squeeze softened garlic from skins; set aside.
Combine the Cajun seasoning, honey and remaining oil; spoon half over the salmon. In a bowl, combine tomatoes, peppers and onion; add remaining honey mixture and toss to coat. Place salmon and vegetables on a greased broiler pan. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 6-8 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork and vegetables are crisp-tender.
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. In a saucepan, combine the first nine sauce ingredients; cook and stir until butter is melted. Drain the pasta. In a large serving bowl, gently toss pasta, lemon sauce, softened garlic, salmon and vegetables. Sprinkle with olives and sunflower kernels.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 565 calories, 35g fat (9g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1608mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 28g protein.

Originally published as Lemony Salmon and Pasta in Country August/September 2004

Reviews

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Average Rating:

browns19fan

Sep 17, 2015

This was fantastic! We especially liked the way the flavors of the two sauces complemented each other yet stayed separate. I substituted maple syrup for part of the honey. I broiled the veggies for 4 minutes, then added the salmon for another 4. I didn't bother with the roasted garlic, just added about 1/2 tsp of garlic powder to the Cajun sauce. I had neither olives nor sunflower kernels and didn't miss them.We're already looking forward to the next time I serve this dish.
justpeachie in GA

May 2, 2012

Very tasty! Would make it again but would use a sweet onion instead and sautee it in a little bit of olive oil to soften it up before broiling it with the other vegetables. I used whole wheat rotini pasta, and my family enjoyed it very much.