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Homemade Blood Orange Salmon Salad With Orange Dill Dressing photo

Blood Orange Salmon Salad With Orange Dill Dressing

A bright, citrusy salmon salad served over a hearty black rice and green split pea base with a tangy orange dill dressing.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 salmon fillets with skin on or off, as desired
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt for seasoning salmon
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper for seasoning salmon
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking salmon
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter for rice
  • 1 1/2 cups black rice
  • 3/4 cup green split peas
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt for rice
  • 2 3/4 cups water, stock, or broth
  • 1 blood orange juice of (about 1/3 cup)
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/4 cup olive oil for dressing
  • pinch salt for dressing, to taste
  • pinch black pepper for dressing, to taste
  • 1/2 cup blood orange segments cut up
  • 1/3 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts toasted

Equipment

  • 3–4 quart pot
  • Large skillet with lid
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Spatula or tongs

Method
 

  1. Make the rice: Melt the butter in a 3–4 quart pot over medium-high heat. Add the black rice and green split peas and sauté for about 1 minute.
  2. Season the rice and peas with 1/2 teaspoon salt, add 2 3/4 cups water, stock, or broth, and bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot, and simmer for 30–45 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice and peas are tender.
  4. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine the blood orange juice (about 1/3 cup), minced shallot, minced dill, lemon juice, mustard, honey, and 1/4 cup olive oil. Whisk or shake until emulsified, then season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Cook the salmon: Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the salmon fillets with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, oregano, and garlic powder.
  6. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the hot skillet and sear the salmon fillets for 2 minutes per side.
  7. Lower the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid or foil, and cook until the salmon is done to your liking, about 5–8 more minutes.
  8. When cooked, drizzle about 1/2 teaspoon of the dressing over each fillet.
  9. Assemble the salad: Toss the cooked rice and peas with 2 tablespoons of the dressing. Divide the rice among four plates.
  10. Add the blood orange segments, crumbled feta, and toasted pine nuts to the rice and toss gently to combine.
  11. Top each plate with a salmon fillet and drizzle additional dressing over the salad to taste.

Notes

  • Use skin-on salmon for easier searing if desired.
  • Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant.
  • Adjust dressing sweetness with more or less honey.
  • Cook rice and peas until both are tender; timing may vary by rice brand.