Simplest Grilled Salmon with Fresh Cucumber Dill Sauce…..

If you’ve never grilled salmon before, it’s time.  It cooks in a matter of minutes.  Season it very simply with olive oil, salt and pepper and serve it with a fresh cucumber dill sauce.  This creamy sauce is made with fat free greek yogurt and is incredibly delicious with the grilled salmon.  Make up to a day ahead.  Today I served it with sauteed rapini but you can serve it with most any side.  Try it with oven roasted dijon potatoes or why not with orzo pasta salad with roasted garlic vinaigrette dressing? Delish~

Simple Grilled Salmon with Fresh Cucumber Dill Sauce

For the sauce:

1 cup non fat greek yogurt
1/2 cup sweet onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup seeded and peeled cucumber, finely chopped
1 small bunch of fresh dill, chopped
2 large cloves fresh garlic, crushed
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

4-6-8 ounce skinless salmon fillets, about 1″ thick
1 tablespoon olive oil
2-3 pinches of kosher salt
1-2 pinches of coarsely ground black pepper
1 lemon cut into wedges and seeds removed for garnish
1 small bunch of fresh dill, chopped

1)  In a medium mixing bowl, combine all of the sauce ingredients, gently mix well to blend.  If too thick and you’d like a slightly looser consistency, simply add a small amount of milk.  If you’re making it ahead, give it a stir before serving.  Of course, refrigerate immediately.
2)  Rinse the salmon fillets with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.  Place on a plate.  Drizzle the olive oil over the fish, rub with your hands to coat.  Season both sides with salt and pepper.  You’re ready for the grill.
3)  Preheat the grill for about 5 minutes.  When cooking fish, you want to only turn it one time and you do not want to turn it too soon, so be sure your grill is good and hot.  Cook the salmon over medium-high heat.  Place the fish presentation side down.  Cook it with the lid down for 4-5 minutes.  The  fish will begin to turn to a lighter pink color around the edges and about half way up the fillet.  With a grill spatula, gently turn the fish.  Allow it to cook an additional 4-5 minutes.  Serve immediatly with the dill sauce. 

*enjoy any leftover salmon cold with the cucumber sauce, so good!
*if you have fillets with skin, no worries.  Cook it the same way.  When you turn the salmon and the skin is on the grill, once it’s done it is very easy to get your spatula under the skin when removing the fish from the grill.  Some people enjoy the crispy skin.