Grilled Salmon with Avocado Butter

Post date: Jan 7, 2017 7:20:42 PM

Grilled Salmon:

4 5-oz. salmon fillets

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil, plus more for brushing grill grates

salt and ground black pepper

1 tsp. sumac, optional (a middle eastern spice that can be purchased at a specialty store or on Amazon. It is ground into a powder and has a mild lemony taste)

1/2 cup basil leaves, thinly sliced

Avocado Butter:

1 small garlic clove, peeled

salt and black pepper

2 small ripe avocados (about 6 ounces)

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup avocado or extra-virgin olive oil

1 tsp. flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

11/4 tsp. salt

Directions for the avocado butter:

On a cutting board, mince garlic and sprinkle with salt. Using the flat side of a knife, smash garlic into a paste. Peel and pit avocados, scoop meat into a bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add garlic paste, lemon juice, oil, parsley and about 1/4 tsp. salt. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides with a silicone spatula as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning. Transfer avocado butter to a small bowl and set aside.

Directions for the grilled salmon:

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Using a silicone pastry brush, coat grill with vegetable oil. Brush salmon fillets with oil and season on both sides with salt and pepper. Place salmon fillets, skin side up, on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes. Using a spatula, carefully flip the fillets and grill until still slightly pink in the center and flaking around the edges, about 2 to 3 minutes.

To serve, transfer grilled fish to a serving dish or plates and spread a thick layer of avocado butter over the top of each fillet. Garnish with a liberal dusting of sumac and sliced basil. Serve immediately.