Description
A vibrant Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad featuring perfectly seasoned and oven-baked salmon fillets atop a bed of mixed greens, fresh herbs, and Parmesan cheese. This salad is elevated with homemade garlic ciabatta croutons and a creamy, zesty tahini dressing that puts a unique twist on the classic Caesar.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 4 fillets Salmon
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil or Melted Butter
- 2 cups Ciabatta Bread, torn into pieces
- 2 cloves Garlic, freshly grated
- 6 cups Mixed Salad Greens (can be substituted with spinach or kale)
- 1 cup Fresh Herbs (Basil, Dill, Thyme)
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (can be replaced with nutritional yeast)
- 2 tablespoons Toasted Sesame Seeds (can be replaced with nuts)
For the Tahini Dressing
- 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1/4 cup Tahini
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce (can be omitted)
- 1 clove Grated Garlic
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Salmon: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and lightly oil a sheet pan. Place the salmon fillets on the pan, generously sprinkle them with Cajun seasoning, and drizzle with olive oil or melted butter.
- Bake Salmon: Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the fillets are crispy on the outside and cooked through inside.
- Prepare Garlic Ciabatta Croutons: In a mixing bowl, combine the torn ciabatta bread pieces with freshly grated garlic, a pinch of salt, and butter. Spread this mixture on a separate sheet pan and bake for 10-12 minutes until the bread is toasted to crispy perfection. Optionally, pulse the toasted bread in a food processor for finer crumbs.
- Make Tahini Dressing: Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, toasted sesame oil, tahini, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce (optional), and grated garlic in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Adjust thickness by adding a little water if necessary.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, toss the mixed salad greens, fresh herbs, grated Parmesan, and toasted sesame seeds. Drizzle generously with the creamy tahini dressing and gently toss to combine.
- Serve: Plate the dressed salad, top it with the homemade garlic ciabatta breadcrumbs and the warm blackened salmon fillets. Serve immediately for the freshest taste and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute mixed salad greens with spinach or kale based on your preference.
- Worcestershire sauce in the dressing can be omitted for a vegetarian option.
- Replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free twist.
- Toasted sesame seeds can be swapped out for nuts like almonds or walnuts if preferred.
- For a finer breadcrumb texture, pulse the baked ciabatta crumbs in a food processor.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the crispness of the croutons and freshness of the greens.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
