BASIL PARMESAN SALMON

OLIVE OIL or OLIVE OIL SPRAY
Juice of ½ LEMON
4 5 Oz SALMON FILLETS – skin removed
PINCH OF KOSHER SALT
FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER
3 Tbs MAYONNAISE
3-4 Tbs FRESHLY GRATED PARMESAN or ROMANO CHEESE
6 LARGE FRESH BASIL LEAVES – minced, plus more for garnish

Preheat oven to 425º. Spritz or wipe your baking pan with olive oil.
Season the salmon with freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Mix the mayo with the basil and 2 tablespoons of either grated cheese in. a small bowl.
Spread this mixture completely over the top of the salmon fillets.
Sprinkle remaining cheese over each fillet.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes, depending on thickness of the salmon.
Garnish with a few extra basil leaves.

Note: An alternative to the mayonnaise mixture would be to slather the salmon fillets with a basil olive oil mixture.

How to Make Basil Olive Oil

1. Wash and dry 1 ½ – 2 cups of fresh basil leaves.
2. Place the basil, 1 clove of garlic, salt and red pepper flakes in mini-food processor and blend.
3. Slowly add ¾ cup of extra virgin olive oil and pulse a few times until you have a smooth sauce.