Basque Grilled Sockeye with Corn Piperade

Wild sockeye salmon gets a smoky Basque-inspired treatment with grilled summer corn piperade and a rich smoked-paprika aioli.

Ingredients

  • Fresh Sockeye Salmon Fillet Wild Caught (sustainably sourced)
    1 pound $14.99
  • Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob-Each
    2 ears $0.99
  • Fresh Red Hothouse Bell Pepper
    1 pepper $1.67
  • Fresh Roma Tomato
    8 ounces $1.49
  • Garlic
    2 cloves $0.79
  • Parsley
    1/4 cup chopped $1.29
  • Kroger® Fresh Lemons Bag
    1 lemon, yielding 1 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice $4.99
  • Mayonnaise
    1/4 cup
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
    3 tablespoons
  • Sherry vinegar
    1 tablespoon
  • Capers, drained
    1 tablespoon
  • Smoked paprika
    1 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    3/4 teaspoon
  • Black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Preheat a clean grill to medium-high for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, husk 2 ears corn, halve and seed 1 red bell pepper, dice 8 ounces Roma tomato, mince 2 garlic cloves into separate portions, chop 1/4 cup parsley, and zest and juice 1 lemon to yield 1 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice.
  2. Stir together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt; refrigerate the aioli until plating.
  3. Pat 1 pound sockeye salmon dry and coat it with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Coat 2 ears corn and 1 halved red bell pepper with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Grill the vegetables for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender and well marked; transfer them to a board.
  5. Grill 1 pound seasoned salmon for 3 minutes with the presentation side down, turn carefully, and cook for 4–6 minutes more, until the center reaches 145°F; transfer it to a platter and rest for 5 minutes.
  6. Cut the kernels from 2 grilled ears corn and dice 1 grilled red bell pepper. Toss them with 8 ounces diced Roma tomato, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar, 1 tablespoon capers, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt.
  7. Divide the finished components between two plates, spoon the prepared aioli alongside, and serve immediately.

Total time: 45 minutes

Estimated cost: About $24–$28 for 2 servings using listed package prices

Health notes: About 820 calories per serving, with roughly 50g protein, abundant omega-3 fats, and fiber-rich summer vegetables.

Drink pairing: A chilled Txakoli brings bright acidity and light effervescence that complement the smoky salmon and sweet corn.