Black Pepper Free Basil-Pesto Salmon Fillets

Salmon with a vibrant, herby pesto crust is the kind of weeknight dinner that looks far more impressive than the effort involved. The pesto here skips the usual black pepper entirely — instead, a touch of ground ginger adds a subtle warmth that keeps the flavor interesting without any of the heat or irritation that pepper can cause. Creamy avocado blends into the basil and olive oil to create a pesto that's silky, bright, and clings beautifully to the fish as it roasts. The technique of searing the salmon first and then finishing it in the oven gives you that golden crust on the flesh side while keeping the interior tender and flaky. Fresh lemon juice runs through both the pesto and the optional serving wedges, cutting through the richness of the fish and the avocado in the best possible way. It's a genuinely satisfying plate that proves you don't need a single crack of pepper to build bold, layered flavor.

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