Grilling the fish makes it moist and tender.

Makes 4 servings.

INGREDIENTS

  • 6tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 5tablespoons minced fresh basil
  • 1teaspoon grated lemon peel3tablespoons olive oil
  • 1tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 45- to 6-ounce skinless salmon fillets (each about 3/4 inch thick)8bacon slices
  • 1small red onion, sliced81/2-inch-thick sourdough or country-style white bread slices (each about 5×3 inches)
  • 8tomato slices
  • 8lettuce leaves

    DIRECTIONS

    Mix mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons basil and lemon peel in small bowl to blend. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)


    Mix remaining 3 tablespoons basil, olive oil and lemon juice in large glass baking dish. Add salmon to oil mixture; turn to coat. Cover; chill 1 to 4 hours.
    Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Using tongs, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Add onion to drippings in skillet. Sauté until onion is tender and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.


    Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill fish until just opaque in center, about 3 minutes per side. Grill bread just until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
    Spread mayonnaise mixture over 1 side of bread slices. Top each of 4 bread slices with 2 bacon slices, 2 tomato slices, 1/4 of onion, 1 salmon fillet and 2 lettuce leaves. Cover with remaining bread slices.