I don’t really consider myself a clean freak, but I guess if the shoe fits. Or if she walks like a duck and talks like a duck…or in this case, if she feels the need to clean daily whether the apartment needs it or not…
Ok, I guess you can go ahead and call me a clean freak (my husband already does).
Which is why I’m appalled to say we had an ant issue not too long ago. (Ok, that’s a little dramatic. But I was at the very least surprised.) And to make matters worse, one day I heard one of our elderly lady neighbors yelling profanities out in the hallway; I ran out to see what was wrong (yup, some neighbors still do that, lol) and she was complaining about ants!
Do you have an ant problem in your apartment?, she asked barked. I could have sworn I heard accusation in her voice. I felt like the Spanish Inquisition was at my door. Umm, uh, yeah, we’ve had a few ants this season, I murmured nervously, all the while thinking How did you know?! I was like a criminal trying to cover the tracks of her crime lest she be condemned.
Of course that chat sent me straight back inside for a two-hour cleaning spree.
I figured if I couldn’t get rid of the ants (why do traps not work?!), at least I could make my home as inhabitable to them as possible.
But along with ants, warmer weather also brings good things. Like popsicles. Country bike rides. Picnics. Day trips to the beach. And lighter, easy-to-make meals. (Because who wants to spend an exorbitant amount of time cooking when there are – sometimes, anyway – better things to do?)
This salmon dish is perfect lighter fare for hotter days. I like to serve this salmon with salad greens and charred pita bread to spoon the extra tzatziki on top of. This whole meal comes together before you know it.
And hopefully won’t draw ants, lol.
Looking for other ways to enjoy this healthy fish? Check out 100 Ways to Cook with Salmon on Cooking Light.
- ¾ cup (175 g) Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ⅓ English cucumber (or 1 Persian cucumber), diced
- 1 clove garlic, crushed using a mortar and pestle or grated on a microplane
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill
- ½ teaspoon dried crushed mint
- ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 4 (4-6 oz) salmon fillets
- For the tzatziki, stir together all ingredients and refrigerate until serving.
- For the salmon, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; once hot, add enough oil to lightly coat the bottom.
- Let the oil heat up for a few seconds, and meanwhile, season the salmon on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place the salmon into the hot skillet and cover it (so the oil doesn’t splatter everywhere), leaving the lid ajar. Cook 2 minutes on the first side, then flip the salmon and cook 2 minutes more.
- Turn the heat off, fully cover the skillet, and let the salmon sit for 2 minutes so the steam can finish cooking it through. (It should be opaque and flake easily with a fork when it’s fully cooked.)
- Serve the salmon with the tzatziki spooned on top.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Rosa says
May 31, 2013 at 6:32 amA beautiful dish! It is a great idea to pair salmon with tzatziki sauce.
Cheers,
Rosa
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
May 31, 2013 at 8:52 amSalmon Lover here! I love this idea. You share the best recipes!!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
May 31, 2013 at 11:12 amBeautiful presentation. tzatziki on salmon sounds delicious!
Eileen says
May 31, 2013 at 2:08 pmOh yea! Seared fish in a tangy yogurty sauce is one of the best things ever. :) Looks so delicious!
Erica says
May 31, 2013 at 2:22 pmI’m a little bit of a clean freak too- nothing wrong!! I am sending this to a friend who just asked me for a good recipe!
Eha says
May 31, 2013 at 11:04 pmAs yet again feel a wee bit foolish! Use salmon all the time! Make tzatziki all the time! Do I remember putting the two together, especially with pita on the side [oh use that also :) !] NO!! Thanks the Lord there are wiser foodies than I :D ! [Cleaning . . .hmm: love a clean house, do not love or much have the time to ‘do the deed’!!!!! ]
Leigh says
June 1, 2013 at 3:07 amLove the salmon recipe.
For the ants – at the first sign of them, sprinkle a little cinnamon at their point of entry. It works like a charm.
Faith says
June 1, 2013 at 6:46 amLeigh, Thanks, I will try that!!
Lori Lynn says
June 2, 2013 at 9:49 pmYears ago I said to my husband…”Bad news – we have ants in the kitchen. Good news – with the new granite countertops, you can’t really see them.” Ha.
Love your salmon dish, looks bright and fresh.
LL
ashley - baker by nature says
June 4, 2013 at 10:49 amI’m just really getting into salmon (besides the smoked kind I pile onto my bagels, hehe), but this look so fresh and wonderful!!! Totally trying next time we get salmon.