This easy 20 minute dinner is the perfect healthy back-to school meal! I’ve managed to convince my kids that salmon is delicious; I highly recommend you do the same. The quick arugula pesto is not traditional (no oil! no nuts!) but it totally packs a punch! 

20 Minute Pan-Seared Salmon with Arugula Pesto from The Food Charlatan

I have been defeated by a 3 year old. A completely oblivious 3 year old, who never even figured out that there was a battle raging. The fact that he was completely unaware that I was potty training him led him to clinch the victory.

2 and 1/2 days of my life, down the drain. Or should I say, down the leg. (TMI? Sorry. No, actually, I’m not sorry, because you didn’t have to clean it up.)

20 Minute Pan-Seared Salmon with Arugula Pesto from The Food Charlatan

After 2 days, I appealed to Facebook for guidance. (If the Facebook gods can’t solve my problems, who can?)

“Okay parents of boys. POTTY TRAINING. HALP. He just doesn’t seem to get it, and I don’t know how to explain sphincters to a 3 year old.”

Here’s some feedback.

“If you find the answer let me know.”

“I wish I knew!”

“Ain’t no shame in giving up for a while.”

“Yeah, little boys are kinda dumb.”

“Sooo many accidents. So I got on Facebook and everyone’s advice was wait a little longer.”

“I promise it will click for him one day.”

20 Minute Pan-Seared Salmon with Arugula Pesto from The Food Charlatan

Here’s my favorite:

“I stopped rewarding him and started rewarding myself for each day I stuck with it. They don’t need those rewards as much as you do, you’re the one cleaning up accidents all day.” << I definitely took this one to heart.

So. I gave up. When I put his diaper back on him after being naked for days on end, he gleefully danced around the room for 10 minutes. I’m not kidding. It was a victory dance, pure and simple.

Maybe I’ll try again when he’s a teenager.

20 Minute Pan-Seared Salmon with Arugula Pesto from The Food Charlatan

A few months ago my brother told me about some salmon he had made with arugula pesto. Here’s what he told me, “Blend raw arugula, raw scallion and water. Mix with spices, a teensy bit of mayo, and sour cream.” That’s basically it. Nathan is all about the minimalist recipes, whereas I’m over here like WHAT DO YOU MEAN TEENSY BIT OF MAYO. #Charlatan

So I did my best Nate. Hope it’s kind of like what you made. Actually, I know it’s not, because you are way more health conscious than I am, so a teensy bit of mayo to you is probably not 2 tablespoons. Don’t judge.

20 Minute Pan-Seared Salmon with Arugula Pesto from The Food Charlatan

20 Minute Pan-Seared Salmon with Arugula Pesto from The Food Charlatan

Still though, even with the mayo, this recipe is pretty darn healthy. No oil in the pesto, no cheese. In fact, it might not even be technically classified as a pesto, but what else should I have called it? Deliciously blended arugula?

Pan-searing is my favorite way to cook salmon. It’s just so fast! And you don’t have to turn on the oven, huge summer plus. Put this on the back-to-school menu, my kids loved it! (See, proof.)

20 Minute Pan-Seared Salmon with Arugula Pesto from The Food Charlatan

20 Minute Pan-Seared Salmon with Arugula Pesto from The Food Charlatan

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20 Minute Pan-Seared Salmon with Arugula Pesto

5 from 4 votes
Prep: 6 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 16 minutes
Servings: 4
This easy 20 minute dinner is the perfect healthy back-to school meal! The quick arugula pesto is not traditional (no oil! no nuts! ) but it packs a punch!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups arugula, packed
  • top half of one bunch of green onions, roughly chopped*
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper, or more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • pinch red pepper flakes, use at least 1/8 teaspoon if you want a kick
  • 4-6 salmon filets
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon flour per filet
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • fresh lemon wedges, for serving
  • more arugula, to serve with

Instructions

  • First make the pesto. Add arugula, green onions, lemon juice, water, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, pepper, salt, basil, and red pepper flakes to a food processor. Pulse until smooth. Taste it and see what you think!
  • Pat salmon filets dry and sprinkle the skin side with salt and pepper. Dust each filet with about a half teaspoon flour.
  • Spread each with about 1 teaspoon of the arugula pesto.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat.
  • When the oil is very hot, place 2-3 salmon filets skin (and pesto) side down in the hot skillet. (Don't crowd the pan, you don't want them to steam. Do it in batches if you don't have room. I used a 12-inch skillet and only did 3 at a time.)
  • Cook over high heat for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until there is a nice sear on the bottom. Sprinkle the top with salt and pepper, flour, and another teaspoon of pesto, then flip.
  • Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute and then remove from heat. Let sit in the pan for another couple minutes.
  • Serve on a bed of arugula, with a fresh squeeze of lemon and a few spoonfuls of the pesto.
  • This is really great with a green salad, crusty bread, roasted potatoes, or even some simple pasta.

Notes

*Wash your bunch of green onions, then look at just the green part. Chop the green part in half. The roughly chop that and add it to the food processor.
Source: this recipe is from my brother Nathan. Kinda. Here is a copy of his exact email: "Blend raw arugula, raw scallion and water. Mix with spices, a teensy bit of mayo, and sour cream. It should be fairly runny--not thick. Serve with fresh lemon over salmon." The recipe above is my translation of this :)

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 284mg | Potassium: 945mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 618IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: seafood
Calories: 314
Keyword: 20 minute, arugula, pan-seared, Pesto, Salmon
Did you make this? I'd love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

Source: this recipe is from my brother Nathan. Kinda. Here is a copy of his exact email: “Blend raw arugula, raw scallion and water. Mix with spices, a teensy bit of mayo, and sour cream. It should be fairly runny–not thick. Serve with fresh lemon over salmon.” The recipe above is my translation of this :)

More quick salmon recipes you will love!

Pan-Seared Salmon with Maple Glaze and Pistachios << tastes like it’s from a restaurant.

Pan-Seared Salmon with Maple Glaze and Pistachios from The Food Charlatan

 

Honey Salmon with Browned Butter Lime Sauce << this is a HUGE favorite around here! We make it all the time!

Honey Salmon with Browned Butter Lime Sauce from TheFoodCharlatan.com

Caramelized Salmon 

Caramelized Salmon from TheFoodCharlatan.com

 

Other easy salmon recipes from awesome bloggers!

Chili Garlic Salmon and Broccoli Bowls from Maebells
Brown Sugar Salmon from Bitz and Giggles
Dijon Maple Glaze Salmon from Joyful Healthy Eats

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Comments

  1. Charlie didn’t get it till right before his 4th birthday. I would sit forever with him on the potty, he would cry until he literally passed out. After a couple days of fainting I gave up. Then one day (much later) his sisters told him he needed to go on the potty and the little punk did! Maybe 5 accidents since, including night time! In other words, he really will get it!

    Also have you ever tried making your own mayonnaise? It’s super simple, much healthier and really good!

    1. Oh man at least I didn’t have to deal with fainting spells Misty!! That is crazy! And yes I have heard of homemade mayonnaise, I should try it out! I looooove mayo.

  2. I wish I had seen the victory dance, so funny! Think of it as choosing to fight the battle another time – I’m pretty sure you’ll win it – one of these days. Meanwhile, fabulous salmon in which you can drown your sorrows :)

    1. Yeah it was pretty hilarious. And yeah, I think I will choose the battle another time. WHEN HE’S SEVENTEEN.

  3. That arugula pesto looks so good! Lately I have been too cheap to buy good salmon filets (Coho or Sockeye), so I opted for canned red salmon. I strongly suspect that your sauce would be AMAZING on salmon cakes too. Even cheapskates need a little seafood fix. :)

    1. Dude Julia you’re a genius! This WOULD be amazing over salmon cakes! Yum. And I’m cheap too. It’s vary rare that I buy fresh salmon, I almost always get frozen. Works for me!

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