Grilled Salmon and Macho Pea Smash

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This recipe and photos were provided by Sally Roeckell of Table and Dish and were originally published at 365Barrington.com as a part of the Heinen’s 4 P.M. Panic Series. 

I grew up always having meat or protein, starch, vegetable and salad. I’ve abandoned the need to check all those boxes. There are times when the starch and vegetable are the same, like in today’s trio of vegetables, sweet potatoes, corn and peas.

Actually, I didn’t realize until after I put it all together that this meal has three vegetables, all rather starchy. There is no salad, but the fresh mint and parsley in the pea smash are fresh and bright.

I’m so glad I don’t have to follow rules when I’m trying to throw dinner together to feed my gang something remotely healthy. It just goes to show that dinner can be whatever you feel inspired to serve. I love the colors of the summer season, when ingredients are fresh the recipes are often very simple. Why mess with the great flavors of the food?

So this menu is going to be a bit unconventional. More explanation and less recipe.

The corn is simply boiled until tender then finished on a buttered grill pan to bring out the sweet sugars in the corn.

The sweet potatoes are washed and unpeeled then diced into cubes. I toss them on a baking sheet. Drizzle them with about 2 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil and kosher salt then roast them at 400°F until tender and blackened on the edges. It takes about 30 minutes.

Macho Pea Smash

Ingredients

• 2 cups peas
• 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, rough chopped
• 2 Tbs fresh mint, rough chopped
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 clove crushed garlic
• 1 tsp. olive oil (or melted butter)
• Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients and roughly mash with a fork.
2. Put half the mix in a blender or food processor and blend by pulsing until incorporated, but not smooth.
3. Add back to the other half that was mashed roughly with a fork.
4. Stir together.

This is delicious served cold, but two minutes in the microwave makes it even better. Macho Pea Smash would also be fun to make with your kids.  Skip the red pepper flakes, put the peas in a bowl and let the kids smash them to bits!

Simple Grilled Salmon

Ingredients

• 4 6 oz. Coho Salmon fillets, skin on
• 1 bunch fresh dill
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped or crushed
• 2-3 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 fresh lemon
• 1 tsp. kosher salt

Instructions

1. Combine garlic, dill, olive oil, salt and juice of one lemon.
2. Marinate the salmon in this mixture for about 30 minutes.
3. Set a bit aside to drizzle over the cooked salmon.
4. Place salmon the grill or a grill pan, flesh-side-down and cook for 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Serve over Macho Pea Smash.