Seared Salmon with Anise-Cucumber Salad

By DreiFromBK

Ingredients

• Four 6-ounce skin-on sockeye salmon fillets
• Kosher salt
• Pepper
• 4 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon anise seeds
• 1/3 cup crème fraîche
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 20 basil leaves, torn
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

Step 1

Season the salmon with salt and pepper and let stand for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a colander, toss the cucumbers, onion, anise seeds and 2 teaspoons of salt. Let stand for 30 minutes.

Gently squeeze the cucumbers dry. In a medium bowl, whisk the crème fraîche with the lemon juice. Add the cucumbers and onion and mix well, then gently stir in the basil.

In a large cast-iron skillet, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the salmon, skin side down, and flatten gently with a spatula. Cook over moderate heat until the skin is crisp, 4 minutes. Flip and cook until opaque throughout, 3 minutes. Serve with the salad.