Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter

SALMON MILANO with BASIL PESTO BUTTER

2/10/2020

As the summer starts to wind down, we are still enjoying fresh Sockeye Salmon. One of our favorite ways to make this is on the grill, with Basil Pesto Butter - so savory and good! Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter is also a favorite for a romantic dinner.

With fresh green beans and garden fresh tomatoes, this is the perfect dinner, and one that you can have on the table in less than 20 minutes. Gotta love fast and delicious!

The Basil Pesto Butter is so good drizzled on top of the vegetables, and also perfect on warm bread or rolls.

Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter & Fresh Green Beans and Garden Tomatoes

We've been enjoying fresh all summer long this year...and arguing about which recipe is the best...but this is the standby recipe that I always come back to for simple, easy and flavorful. Everyone always loves it!

For those of you that love the Salmon with Basil Butter from Costco, this is my homemade version, which is even more delicious!

Fresh Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter

When I make Basil Pesto Butter, I usually make a double batch, and have it on hand for grilling, fresh vegetables, grilled corn on the cob, or other summertime meals. It is just a classic!

Salmon Milano with Fresh Basil Pesto Butter

The fresh sautéed green beans and garden-ripe tomatoes are just perfect with the salmon...this is so colorful, fresh and healthy!

I'll be sad to see summer end and my fresh garden herbs and vegies come to an end...

How about you? Time to start planning for this year's garden - spring will be here soon!

SALMON MILANO with BASIL PESTO BUTTER

It is always such a treat when the fresh wild Copper River Sockeye and King Salmon are in season, and Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter is one of our favorite recipes! Very good with any type of salmon, but this incredible and totally authentic Basil Pesto Butter is perfection and one of our favorites for a romantic dinner for two!

Salmon MIlano with Basil Pesto Butter

INGREDIENTS:
4 fresh salmon fillets or 1 side of salmon fillet (preferably Copper River Sockeye
or King Salmon)
Olive oil
Salt & pepper
½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
¼ cup fresh Basil Pesto (for Basil Pesto Butter)
Fresh dill and basil (for garnish)

BASIL PESTO
4 medium garlic cloves
3 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons pine nuts
1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
½ cup extra virgin olive oil (mild flavored)
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Sea salt (to taste)

HOW I MAKE THIS:

PREPARE BASIL PESTO: Put garlic in the bowl of food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add nuts, Parmesan cheese and salt, and chop until the nuts are finely crushed, about 1 minute. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add basil and pulse for an additional minute, scraping sides of bowl. Slowly drizzle in olive oil and lemon juice, pulse for an additional minute or until smooth.
PREPARE BASIL PESTO BUTTER: In a small bowl, blend the butter and ¼ cup of fresh Basil Pesto until well combined. Chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld
Preheat grill or oven to 400 degrees. If grilling, using non-stick grilling foil; if baking, spray your pan with non-stick spray
Place salmon fillets skin-side down, brush top of salmon with half of Basil Pesto Butter; season with salt and pepper.
Close cover and grill for 10 to 13 minutes (10 minutes per inch of thickness of salmon fillet); if baking, bake for 13 to 17 minutes (also allowing 10 minutes per inch of thickness of salmon).
Immediately after removing from grill, spread remaining half of the Basil Pesto Butter over the top of the salmon.
Serve warm and garnish with fresh dill and chopped fresh basil.

YIELD: 4 servings Salmon Milano; about 2 cups Basil Pesto

NOTES FOR BASIL PESTO:

Pour into an airtight container and cover top with a very thin layer of olive oil. Store in refrigerator for up to 10 days or freeze up to 3 months (you can actually freeze individual cubes in an ice cube tray – perfect for cooking!) This recipe makes about 2 cups.
The Basil Pesto Butter will keep in your refrigerator for up to a week. This is also FABULOUS on top of grilled fresh vegetables or spread on warm bread or rolls.

Originally published September 2016; revised and reposted February 2020.

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