Salmon Asparagus Salad with Blistered Tomatoes

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A grilled salmon and asparagus salad that’s topped with blistered tomatoes and feta cheese. Its elegant but simple – the best!

Salmon Asparagus Salad with Blistered Tomatoes. Healthy, Gluten-free and paleo.

I could attempt to start this post all casually. Like, yes, Lisbon’s been wonderful, I’ve been hiking up and down lots of cobblestone streets, eating my Roaming Free way around the city and enjoying the sunny weather that was in hiding during my first two weeks. And that’s all true.

But if you saw my Snapchat last week you know the craziness that also transpired…as in, I got robbed! Totally. And the crux of it that drives me nuts is that it was so textbook…and I was a doofus.

After living in Portugal for two weeks I got way too comfortable with the city, my apartment and knowing my way around. The short story is that I was walking home to my apartment after a day of sightseeing and stopped for a minute (literally) on the busy, touristy streets of Baixa. I wanted to take a quick photo of the buildings bathed in “golden hour” light, with a crowd-inducing street performer in the background. I took the photo, got bumped from behind and instinctually grabbed my backpack around to the front. Within a split second, the zipper had been undone, the wallet gone and no “suspicious” person in sight (as I frantically scanned the crowd). All my credit cards, ATM card, drivers license and money…gone.

Salmon Asparagus Salad with Blistered Tomatoes. Healthy, Gluten-free and paleo.

Salmon Asparagus Salad with Blistered Tomatoes. Healthy, Gluten-free and paleo.

I’ve traveled to 38 countries and sheesh, I guess I should count my lucky stars that I’ve never been robbed up until this point. Because really, it straight-up sucks. It’s a horribly unnerving situation that spikes your pulse and adrenalin like no other.

BUT here’s where the story gets even worse. I was using my fave Pacsafe backpack! The one that clips the zippers so they can’t be easily undone by thieves and pick-pockets. Ugh!! So where did I go wrong? Well, I had just grabbed food, got lazy and figured, “Oh, I’m only two blocks from home” so didn’t bother re-latching the zippers. Big BIG mistake.

Thankfully, due to the generosity of new Lisbon friends and my mom (who wired me money), I only got thrown off kilter for about 24 hours. I’m aware it could’ve been much worse. Knock on wood.

Salmon Asparagus Salad with Blistered Tomatoes. Healthy, Gluten-free and paleo.

We’re gonna move on to this delicious salad (promise), but I just have one final point I’d like to make. It’s so so so imperative that should a horrible situation like this happen to you in a foreign country, you must stay positive and please don’t let it sway your judgement of the country. Portugal has been ah-ma-zing and I adore Lisbon….so I’m sure as heck not gonna let one crappy thief spoil all the beautiful memories I’ve made.

Now here’s the funny thing about this salad and timing. I made this recipe before I left, but I’ve been having salmon salads like crazy over here. Fish is abundant in Lisbon and salmon salads have been my “in between” to break up the cod dishes and grilled sardine meals. I’m sure I’ll post a few photos on Instagram soon.

Oh, did I mention that it’s been super easy to eat real, wholesome, gluten-free meals in Portugal? Once I return home, I’ll be posting a Lisbon City Guide with all my recommended spots, so keep your eyes peeled.

In the meantime, enjoy this delicious salmon asparagus salad with blistered tomatoes. Tomorrow, I’m off on a day-trip to Sintra (which, I’m sure I’ll be Snapchatting) – and during which my backpack will be 100% fully latched. Guaranteed!

Salmon Asparagus Salad with Blistered Tomatoes. Healthy, Gluten-free and paleo.

Salmon Asparagus Salad with Blistered Tomatoes. Healthy, Gluten-free and paleo.

(gluten-free, paleo) Salmon Asparagus Salad with Blistered Tomatoes.

Salmon Asparagus Salad with Blistered Tomatoes

5 from 4 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Salmon and asparagus salad is kicked-up a notch with the addition of blistered tomatoes and feta cheese. Its elegant but simple - the best!

Ingredients 
 

  • 12 spears asparagus
  • 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 14 cherry or plum tomatoes
  • 2 filets salmon
  • 3 cups mixed salad greens
  • 2 tbsp feta cheese
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Instructions 

  • Heat 1-2 tbsp of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add the asparagus, season with salt and pepper and sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until tender. Remove the asparagus to a plate.
  • Add one tablespoon of olive oil to the same sauté pan cook the tomatoes on medium heat. Let them sit for 2 minutes, to blister, before stirring. Then stir and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove the tomatoes to a plate.
  • Add the salmon to the same sauté pan (adding additional olive oil if necessary) and cook on medium heat, skin side down, for 2-3 minutes. Season the top side with salt and pepper. Flip the salmon and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until barely cooked through.
  • To serve, divide the salad greens between two plates. Add a piece of salmon, half the asparagus and tomatoes. Top with a sprinkling of feta cheese and drizzle with dressing.

Nutrition

Calories: 737kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 56g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 314mg | Potassium: 1407mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2130IU | Vitamin C: 47.4mg | Calcium: 154mg | Iron: 5.1mg
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: asparagus salad, Salmon Asparagus Salad, Salmon Salad
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

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12 Comments

  1. I am east coast girl and love my salmon.  Always looking for new recipes!  Well this is now one of my favourites.  Made it for lunch today and it was just perfect.  So tasty and so simple!  Thank you 5 stars

  2. I really loved how flavorful the tomatoes were. It really brought out so much flavor and complemented the salmon and asparagus so well. Delicious salad!5 stars

  3. What an elegant yet simple salad! This is the perfect summer lunch or dinner! Sure to impress family and friends!5 stars

  4. Ah, boogers! That so sucks, Lisa, but your attitude ia A+. And this salad is gorgie porgie. Probs my fave way to eat salmon is on a bed of greens. Enjoy the test of your travels, girly! <3

    1. Thanks so much Em! Yeah, after you get over the shock of being robbed, all you can do is focus on the positive. Like, I’m in a gorgeous city! And besides, more adventures are to be had. ;) x

  5. Lisa, I’m terribly sorry to read what happened to you – thank goodness you weren’t hurt in the process, and that things are better. And thank goodness for this delicious salad recipe! Thank you for the reminders about travel safety, especially abroad – crucial.

    1. Yes, at the end of the day I’m still healthy and safe – and that’s the most important part! Onward and upward (but talk about a necessary reminder for this travelista!). ;) x

  6. So sorry to hear about that and I’m glad you’re doing ok. Enjoy Sintra – I still have to make it out there!