Ingredients

  • 2 large fresh ripe tomatoes, or 3 or 4 ripe plum tomatoes, cored
  • 1/2 large white onion, peeled and minced
  • 1/4 habanero or jalapeno chili, stemmed, seeded and minced, or to taste
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro or flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • Juice of 3 or 4 limes, to taste
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 salmon fillet, about 1 1/2 pounds, preferably with skin on
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil, like corn or canola

Method

  • Start a charcoal or gas grill; fire should be moderately hot and grill rack about 4 inches from heat source.
  • Or, heat oven to 500 degrees.
  • Chop tomatoes and combine them in a bowl with onion, chili, cilantro, lime juice and some salt.
  • Set aside.
  • Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper.
  • If grilling, rub fish with a little oil as well; put it on grill, skin side down, and let it sit for 4 to 5 minutes, then turn once (don't worry if part of skin sticks to grill).
  • Cook for about 3 minutes more, until medium-rare.
  • If roasting, heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat for a minute.
  • Add oil and, a few seconds later, salmon, skin side up.
  • Sear for a minute, then transfer to oven and roast until medium-rare, about 10 minutes.
  • Allow to rest for a minute or so, then remove skin.
  • Turn over and serve, passing salsa at the table.