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For our Keto family members out there, we’ve put together a satiating salmon dish that’s perfect for those warm summer days.
The Ketogenic Diet (Keto for short) limits carbs. However, while this lifestyle may limit bread, grains, and rice, it certainly doesn’t limit flavor! This week we’re cooking up a Keto-Friendly Salmon Dish with Avocado Salsa.
This is a fantastically fresh dish that pairs well with crisp white wines and warm summer days. The tropical notes of our Toscana Bianco are made brighter by the zesty avocado salsa, and the salmon will leave you salivating. So, whether you’re cooking to impress or simply to enjoy, this food and wine pairing will help you feel like you’re on vacation without having to leave your home. Let’s get cooking!
Intro to Wine Pairing
There’s a reason high-end restaurants usually keep an in-house sommelier. This person is a trained wine steward who understands the subtle nuances of each wine. It’s important to remember, however, that you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy wine or to pair it with food.
If you’ve ever eaten a meal and thought to yourself, “Mmm, this would go really well with that bottle we had last week” then try it! Everyone has different tastes, and while there are definitely a few popular pairings, you’re allowed to experiment with what you like. You’re just looking for that delicious balance between the components of your meal and the characteristics of your wine.
If, however, you’re a complete newbie and want a bit of guidance, here are a few tips to get you started.
- Generally, your wine should be slightly sweeter and more acidic than your meal.
- Try to select a wine that has the same flavor intensity as your meal.
- Most of the time red wines pair well with bold meat flavors like red meat.
- The opposite is true for white wines, so pair them with lighter meats like fish or chicken.
- If your wine is bitter, balance it out with fat (cheese, nuts, fatty meats, etc.)
- If your meal has a flavorful sauce, match the wine to the sauce instead of the meat.
- White, sparkling, and rosé wines often create contrasting pairings, meaning they create balance by contrasting tastes and flavors. As an example, think about lime and coconut. The two flavors aren’t similar, but they’re delicious when combined.
- Conversely, red wines generally create congruent pairings. This means they create balance by emphasizing shared flavors. A good example of this would be a savory steak and mushroom combination.
This is a super simplified break-down, but for the purposes of our food pairing today it will get us through. Now, let’s talk about the wine we’ve selected for today!
Keto-Friendly Wine of the Week
For this particular dish, we’ve selected our PALO61, Toscana Bianco IGT No. 08. This crisp white wine is produced from Trebbiano and Viognier grapes to create a creamy texture and tropical flavor. This wine can be enjoyed all on its own, but because of its lightness, it can also be paired with a number of different meals.
Its balsamic notes complement lighter appetizers and salads, while its lightly floral aromas would create an interesting pairing with herbaceous white meat dishes. A classic pairing, however, is white wine and fish. For this dish, we recommend serving chilled.
Need to brush up on your Wine Terminology? Click here to use our glossary!
Each five-ounce glass of our PALO61 Toscano Bianco contains 0.39 grams of carbs, 0.18 grams of sugar, and 107.4 calories. That makes this wine perfect for anyone in search of a lightly sweet wine that complements your nutrition goals.
The SECCO Wine Club Keto-Friendly Salmon with Avocado Salsa
Not only is this dish Kaleo-Friendly, but it’s also paleo, Whole30, and full of healthy fats to keep you full and satiated. Ready in roughly twenty minutes, this flavorful dish is surprisingly simple yet bursting with delicious flavor, textures, and color. Plus, you have the option of grilling, searing, or even baking your salmon. So choose whichever method you prefer!
This recipe prepares two servings, so double up on ingredients for a family of four or cut them in half for a cozy solo night in.
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 2 4-6 oz salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced or crushed
- Chili powder to taste (or 1/2 teaspoon)
- Cumin to taste (or 1/2 teaspoon)
- Onion powder to taste (or 1/2 teaspoon)
- Black pepper to taste (or 1/4 teaspoon)
- Salt to taste (or 1/4 teaspoon)
For the Avocado Salsa
- 1 ripe avocado pitted and diced
- 1/2 cup tomato diced (any type of tomato)
- 2 tablespoons onion diced
- Minced cilantro to taste (or 2 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
1. Try to chill your bottle of PALO61, Toscana Bianco for an hour or two before you plan to eat.
2. We recommend preparing the Avocado Salsa first to ensure you can serve the salmon immediately once it’s prepared. To make the avocado salsa you’ll add the avocado, tomato, onion, and cilantro to a large mixing bowl. Splash with olive oil, fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
The olive oil and lime juice, while absolutely delicious, also help to keep the avocado from oxidizing. Gently mix with a spoon until fully combined. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to serve.
3. Stir the olive oil, garlic, and spices in a small bowl. Brush or rub salmon with the spice mixture. You can cook it with the skin on or off, that’s up to you!
Note: A very easy mistake to make is to overcook the salmon. Because it’s so delicate, Salmon can easily over-cook. To avoid this, season the salmon well and cook it on medium-high just until almost cooked through. Even after you remove it from the heat it will continue to cook for a bit.
Also, if you prefer to bake your salmon, simply pre-heat your oven to 400F. Place the salmon filet on a sheet pan and bake for 12-15 minutes.
4. If you’re grilling your salmon fillets, heat a large (preferably non-stick) pan on medium-high heat. If you cook your salmon on high, you run the risk of charring the outside while leaving the inside undercooked. Once you add the salmon to your pan, cook each side for 5-6 minutes. Remove the fillets from the pan, top with avocado salsa.
5. Plate your salmon and avocado salsa however you’d like. Feel free to get fancy with some extra greens or keep it simple. Uncork your wine and by the time you take your plates and glasses to the table, patio, or picnic area, the flavors of the wine will have bloomed beautifully.
6. Eat, drink, and enjoy!
Final Thoughts
We hope you thoroughly enjoyed this food and wine pairing and that you’ll use this recipe as an excuse to connect with friends and family over a delicious, healthy meal. This pairing is designed to feel light, yet deceptively filling, and the citrus and seafood complement the tropical notes of this wine beautifully.
Be sure to stock up on your favorite bottles and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and tag us in your next food and wine pairing!
Cheers! Salute! Santé! Salud! Skål!
