Easy Salmon with Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Tapenade
David Scott Allen · Fish & Seafood · Main Course · Provencal Recipes · TasteSeafood is popular in France, with over half of all French residents purchasing fresh or frozen fish from their local grocery store. Salmon is a bright and flavourful fish that goes well with various flavours. This robust dish features tangy sun-dried tomatoes and a delicious olive tapenade to make a gourmet meal that fools anyone into thinking you’re a pro. Pair it with a complex red wine, like Mon Coeur Côtes-du-Rhône from Jean-Louis Chave, and you’ll make an impression.
Salmon with Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Tapenade
This dish is a great centrepiece to enjoy with some field greens, risotto, and a bottle of top-quality French red wine.
Ingredients
- 2 leeks light green and white parts only
- 5 fresh basil leaves
- 3 tbsp butter chilled
- salt
- freshly ground white pepper
- 4 sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 8 Oil-Cured Olives pitted
- 1 tbsp capers drained
- 4 sprigs thyme leaves stripped
- 1 tbsp chives chopped
- 1 tbsp parsley chopped, plus extra for garnish
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 6-oz Salmon Fillets skinless
Instructions
- Slice leeks in half lengthwise, loosen the layers and run them under cold water to wash out any sand or dirt. Cut the halves into 1/2-inch thick slices and place them in a saucepan of salted water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until leeks are fully tender – about 6 minutes. Drain and place leek slices in a blender with the basil leaves and butter. Purée until very smooth and return to the saucepan to keep warm, and season well with salt and freshly ground white pepper.
- Next, place the sun-dried tomatoes, olives, capers, herbs, and olive oil in a small processor or spice grinder; purée until it forms a chunky paste.
- Divide and spread the paste among the tops of the two salmon fillets, pressing it gently to adhere.
- Place salmon on an oiled baking sheet and roast for 8-10 minutes, depending on thickness and your preference. (Our fillets we about 1 inch thick, and were perfect after 9 minutes.)
- To serve, spoon some of the leek-basil purée on a dinner plate and top with salmon. Sprinkle with parsley.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
Roasted King Salmon with I’itoi Onion Compote
Allow enough time for the onions to cook slowly, as the caramelizing process will make all the difference in the flavour of the compote. Serve with the roasted salmon for a lovely combination. If you have too much onion compote, it won't go to waste, serve with grilled meat or on a sandwich.
Check out this recipe
Seared Salmon with Red Wine Shallot Sauce and Wasabi Mashed Potatoes
Easy, delicious and chef quality a fish dish to impress!
Check out this recipe
Smoky Cinnamon Salmon with Mushroom Lentils
This salmon dish is easy, tasty and full of wonderful spices.
Check out this recipe
Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms: Goat Cheese, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Tapenade
This recipe is easy to prepare and delicious to eat. Serve hot with chilled rosé.
Check out this recipe
Salmon with Herbed Chèvre Wrapped in Zucchini
Moist and buttery baked salmon wrapped in zucchini and stuffed with chèvre gently floating in a spicy tomato sauce topped with olives.
Check out this recipe
Seared Salmon with Tomato-Shallot Ragoût
The tomato ragoût is simple to prepare, you can make it in advance as it will keep for a few days. The salmon takes less than 10 minutes to cook, so dinner is on the table in no time at all.
Check out this recipeFrom Nice: Full-Day 4x4 Alpine Escape with Local Food & Wine Tastings
Hop aboard a premium 4x4 Ford Raptor and venture far from the bustle of the French Riviera into the hidden mountain landscapes of Nice. This exclusive experience takes you off the beaten path to explore the soul of alpine Provence, where perched villages, wild valleys, and enduring local traditions await.
Book this ExperienceLegal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Previous Post
Discover the Underwater Museum of MarseilleRelated Provence Articles
Discover the Tradition of the 13 Desserts of Christmas in Provence
December 1, 2017
A buffet table laden with 13 desserts! How could the French be so smug as to think that North Americans with our turkey-centric Christmas dinners, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and a variety of sides are excessive? Or so I felt when I first heard about this holiday tradition. However, like most customs in the …
Coq au Vin Rosé from At Home in Provence
October 27, 2025
At Home in Provence by Jeany Cronk is a beautifully curated cookbook blending personal stories and cultural insights that capture her family’s journey from London to Provence to create a life around winemaking. Rich with photographs and local charm, it’s an inspiring read for anyone drawn to Provençal living. The recipes in the book focus …
Provence Rosé Still Pouring Strong in the Export Market
July 15, 2021
In a year marked by turbulence and an overall decrease in exports of French wine by as much as 5% in volume, Provence witnessed exports increase by nearly 6% in volume, making it the wine region posting the greatest growth abroad. By comparison, Burgundy posted a 1.4% growth in the export market, and the Loire …
Winter Market in Uzes: It’s Not Quite the Same
March 10, 2017
If you’ve visited the Saturday Market in Uzes during tourist season and hate the crowds, you should be here in February. The market is almost the same, minus the throngs of people. This weekend’s market day was sunny and cold — a crisp 45 degrees when I set out. …Continue reading here to see the Barefoot …
No Comment