Help! Side Dish suggestions for Salmon with Pesto

[Gahoona]

I'm making Salmon with Pesto tomorrow night and I'm looking for something besides rice pilaf or red potatoes to serve with it.
The Salmon with Pesto recipe is :
2 lbs salmon fillets
2 lemons
1 1/2 cups pesto
1/2 cup white wine
Marinate the salmon in the juice of one lemon and the 1/2 cup of white wine for 15 minutes. Coat the top side of the fish with a thick layer of pesto and broil until fish flakes and is opaque. The pesto should form a heavily browned crust.
Any Ideas?? Thanks!

[lorilei]

Minus the wine, this sounds an awful lot like a pesto salmon that I make...

Quinoa is a good side (though if you object to a pilaf, this might not appeal either). Otherwise you might want to try a nice light pasta salad -- maybe something with kalamata olives and tomatoes to offset the pesto.

Broccoli is a great pairing -- it really latches onto the lemony pesto and melds nicely with the strength of the salmon.

[lindrusso]

When I make Lorilei's Easy Pesto Salmon, I like to have whole wheat couscous with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and lemon and some roasted asparagus sprinkled with the same (plus some garlic). Mmmmmmmm.....

[sassysu3]

:) Herbed Potatoes and Peas & French Bread
sass

[Gail]

I'd think any kind of grain would work. Besides the aforementioned bulgar, barley would even be nice. Any kind of pasta would work or CL's Pommes Anna. I tend to serve spinach with salmon, cause I like the combination, but since you've got your pesto going, I'd opt for either broccoli or asparagus. And maybe it's just me, but when I'm serving something like pesto, I tend to keep the flavors of my sides pretty pure so different herbs aren't duking it out for attention. Of course, that's just MY opinion...

[sherri]

I would suggest asparagus (I have a great recipe for asparagus with fresh tarragon if you are interested) and a grain like millet and/or quiona, there are a lot of recipes for grain dishes, let me know if you need any.

[lorilei]

asparagus... asparagus... asparagus...

How could I have forgotten about asparagus??

A simple, roasted veggie would be awfully nice here (I agree that complicating pesto is often a mistake)... and asparagus would be perfect. Also a nice contrast to the salmon.

[Guest]

My first thought was pasta to go along with the salmon. Pesto and pasta are meant to be eaten together. A dear friend makes a delicious grilled salmon that she frequently serves with pasta and pesto. Asparagus is an inspired idea for the vegetable. A green salad would also wourk nicely with the salmon. I am sure your dinner will be delicious.

[Gail]

What about artichokes?

[Tally]

Chiming in to second (or third) the idea of couscous and roasted or steamed asparagus. You can play with the flavors of either side dish --- add some toasted pine nuts to either compliment the pesto sauce over the salmon.... maybe add some diced sauteed onions, zucchini and/or red bell peppers to the couscous to give some color and crunch.... maybe roast some garlic cloves to go along with the asparagus...

[Wendy w]

LOL!

As a frequent preparer of Lori's Pesto Salmon, I have to say that I serve most of the above: brown rice( it catches the extra pesto), broccoli or asparagus. I have never been fond of quinoa.

[yorkshirepud]

gahoona ...

what about putting it on a bad of lentils?

yp

[Gahoona]

Wow, what a lot of great suggestions!

I'm going to go with either steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus and some type of pasta in a light white sauce with a bit of garlic OR simply olive oil and bit of garlic.

So I've gotten it narrowed down. Thanks everyone!