Salmon with Basil Sauce

Yield: Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4  (6-ounce) salmon fillets
• Olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1  cup  fresh basil
• 1/2  cup  extra-virgin olive oil
• 1  garlic clove
• 2  teaspoons  fresh lemon juice
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Drizzle salmon with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set aside 10 minutes to absorb flavor.

Meanwhile, combine basil, 1/2 cup olive oil, and remaining ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped, and set aside.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté salmon 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until desired degree of doneness. Place on serving plates. In the warm skillet, heat reserved basil sauce, and pour over salmon.

Perfect Pairing: California lifestyle expert Susie Coelho recommends Meridian Pinot Noir for the Salmon with Basil Sauce. A hint of lemon means the recipe would work equally well with Meridian's Chardonnay. Another option is Meridian Sauvignon Blanc. Its bright, sunny quality matches the acidity of the tomatoes.