Summer Pasta with Salmon

Summer Pasta with Salmon
• 1 pound spaghetti
• Olive Oil
• 1 cup diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup frozen green peas
• 2 large (8-10-oz.) salmon fillets
• 2 teaspoons Creole Seasoning, recipe follows
• 2 teaspoons fresh chopped oregano
• 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Fill a large pot with water, bring to a boil and add 2 tablespoons salt to the pot. Add the pasta to the pan and cook until al dente, 8-10 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle olive oil to coat the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and 1 tablespoon minced garlic to the pan and sauté until the onions are translucent, about 3 - 4 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper flakes and tomato sauce to the pan. Add 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to the pan along with the drained pasta and frozen peas. Cook, stirring often, until the pasta is fully cooked, and well dressed with the sauce. Keep warm until the salmon is cooked.

Preheat Broiler.

Heat an oven-proof grill pan over high heat for 4 minutes. Meanwhile, rub both sides of the salmon with olive oil. When the pan is very hot, place the salmon fillets flesh-sides down in the grill pan and cook over medium heat without moving them for 2 minutes, until very browned.

Remove pan from heat; turn the salmon over and season with Creole seasoning. Sprinkle with oregano and lemon juice. Combine 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1 tablespoon minced garlic in a small bowl, and pour over the salmon. Set under the broiler and cook until the salmon is slightly caramelized on top, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from the oven, and remove the skin from the salmon. Divide the pasta among your plates, sprinkle with Parmesan and lay a portion of salmon atop each plate of pasta. Garnish with more Parmesan if desired.

Serves 4.

Creole Seasoning
• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

**This makes much more than you will need for this recipe.