Salmon with Dill Sauce and Cucumber Salad

It's time for me to get together with the lovely ladies who join together once a month for the Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club (hence the flowers for the dinner table)! This month's theme was "All Things Green". . . just in time for St. Patrick's Day and the fresh spring growth that our neighbours south of the border are seeing in their gardens (whereas I see . . . snow. SIGH)

I decided to make this recipe for Salmon with Dill Sauce and Cucumber Salad for my contribution to the supper club. Now this would be an amazing dish to serve for St. Patrick's Day.

I know what you're thinking - St. Patrick's Day is corned beef, cabbage, and green beer. I remember my friend from Ireland being truly horrified by this 'no one would ever served corned beef for a special meal or for guests - it would be an embarrassment!'

One year, tired of her annual rant, I asked her what might be served in Ireland for guests. She thought for a minute or two, and said, 'mom would normally serve a big roast of beef or a nice salmon.'

This advice, from a real Irishwoman no less, is proof that corned beef is out and salmon is in! As I said, there is plenty to love about this recipe - especially the fact that it contains less than 350 calories.

Salmon with Dill Sauce and Cucumber Salad

6 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill, divided
3 tablespoons rice vinegar, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon rind
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets (about 1 inch thick)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cooking spray
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 English cucumber (about 1 pound)

Combine sour cream, 2 tablespoons dill, 2 tablespoons vinegar, shallots, rind, juice, and garlic in a bowl, stirring well; cover and chill.

Sprinkle fish evenly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add fish to pan, and cook for 3 minutes. Turn fish over, and cook 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add wine; cover and let stand 3 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness.

Using a vegetable peeler, shave cucumber lengthwise into ribbons to yield about 2 cups. Combine cucumber, remaining 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and remaining 1 teaspoon dill in a bowl; toss gently to coat. Place about 1/2 cup cucumber mixture on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1 fillet and 2 tablespoons sour cream mixture.

The challenge with the Cooking Light Supper Club is that it is virtual. I've meet some of the group in person from time to time but when it comes to the actual party there are few guests (cue gratuitous kitty photo) . . . Dante waited patiently but there was to be no salmon for him.It was just too good to share.

Be sure to pop by and see what the rest of the group brought to the party!

Susan of The Spice Garden salad with New Hampshire Maple-Mustard Dressing.

Val is making an appetizer of a Creamy Feta Spinach Dip

Roz of La Bella Vita  offers a twist on a family favourite with a Pesto Caesar Salad.

Sarah of All Our Fingers in the Pie brings our main dish of  Shrimp in Green Sauce.

Sandi of Whistlestop Café Cooking accompanies our meal with refreshing Lemony Snap Peas. 

Comments

[bellini]

Awww, thanks for the flowers Jerry. Also for this delicious salmon recipe. In Scotland and Ireland and maybe even England salmon is quite popular so excellent choice for a special day.

[Kayte]

Oh, that does look like a fine St. Patty's Day dinner to me...and poor Dante, he deserves a wee bite, now doesn't he?? It's nice to see a photo of him as I am currently petless and am enjoying all my friends' pets in the interim. He looks so soft and cuddly.

[Susan]

Jerry! Killer salmon recipe! We are huge fans of salmon in our house ... a quick sauce like this one is perfect over pan-seared! The addition of those pickle-y shaved cucumbers makes this dish stellar! Thanks for the green ideas!

[JDeQ]

Kayte - Dante is a huge ham! He is also very comforting and seems to know when you're under the weather. He has been sleeping a lot with me while I have been ill.

This was a great salmon dish. I particularly liked the cooking method where the fish was steamed to a finish in the white wine.