Blackened Salmon Salad with Candied Walnuts and Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing

We went to Jefferson Davis Inn in Lexington, KY for dinner this week with some friends. I don't eat out very often because of my dietary restrictions, but I had the most delicious meal at JDI. This is my attempt at recreating it. Makes 4 servings.

Candied Walnut Ingredients:
2 cups walnuts
1/3 c maple syrup
1/8 t sea salt

Directions: 
In a dry heated skillet, add walnuts and syrup and salt. Stir well. Continue stirring until syrup gets thick and is sticking to the walnuts. Remove from heat and pour walnuts onto wax paper or parchment paper. Let cool.

Citrus Vinaigrette Ingredients:
2 oranges, zested
2 small or 1 large orange, juiced
2 T balsamic vinegar 
2 T honey
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 t sea salt
3/4 t ground black pepper
3/4 c extra virgin olive oil
*Option 2: use lemons instead of oranges with white wine vinegar instead of Balsamic Directions:
In a blender, combine the orange zest, juice, vinegar, honey, garlic, s & p. Blend until smooth. With the blender still running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream until combined or if you don't have a small opening in the top to add the olive oil while blending, add 1/4 c at a time and blend well in between additions. Transfer to a container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

Salmon Ingredients:
2 1/2 T paprika
3/4 t cayenne pepper
1 t dried thyme
1/2 t garlic powder
1 1/2 t kosher salt
2 1/2 T unsalted butter
juice of 1 lemon
4 6-ounce salmon fillets, skinned

Directions:
Heat oven to 400° F. 
In a shallow bowl, combine the paprika, cayenne, thyme, garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of the salt.
In a saucepan, over medium heat, melt 2 ½ tablespoons of the butter. Add the lemon juice.
Working with 1 salmon fillet at a time, dip the top and bottom halves first in the lemon butter, then in the spices.
Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the salmon until blackened, 2 minutes per side. Transfer to the oven for 8 minutes.

Assembly:
Put your preferred lettuce on a plate. Add some avocado slices and or cucumber slices and salmon fillet. Sprinkle on some candied walnuts and then drizzle lightly with citrus dressing. Enjoy!