Recipe Background
Blooming Salmon combines fresh herbs with creamy feta for an impressive, easy dish.
The first meet-the-parents meal with my partner's family was one for the books. That day, I wanted to impress but stay true to myself, which meant walking the fine line between sophisticated and quirky. As someone who always keeps a stash of feta and fresh herbs in the fridge, I decided on a salmon dish, knowing its vibrant flavors and creamy texture could break the ice without stealing the spotlight. Before I left for the in-laws' home, I added finely chopped garlic to the mix. I imagined the aroma wafting through their kitchen and settling any nerves with its familiar comfort.
Arriving early, I quickly navigated their bustling kitchen, laying out the glossy salmon fillet skin-side down. A light coat of mayonnaise created a canvas for the herby, feta-laden concoction. I shared a little secret with my partner’s mom: always use some lemon zest to brighten up the flavor—a pro tip that never fails. As the fish baked, conversations flowed like it had always been this easy. I glanced over at the salmon, gratified to see the topping blooming beautifully, as if in sync with the blooming relationships around the table.
The final touch was a garnish of lemon wheels. The dish emerged from the oven, heralding warmth, inviting everyone to dive in. Later, their compliments were nice to hear, but witnessing my partner’s parents going back for seconds felt like the true win. That day wasn’t just about good food but about connections as layered and delightful as the meal itself.
Ingredients
- 1 (2 1/4-pound) salmon fillet boneless and skin-on
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 cups feta crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- lemon wheels optional, to taste, for garnish
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Line a large baking sheet with foil, then coat the foil with cooking spray.
- Place the salmon fillet, skin-side down, on the prepared baking sheet.
- Season the salmon with the salt and the pepper on both sides.
- Spread the mayonnaise evenly over the top of the salmon flesh. The mayonnaise should only be on the flesh, not on the skin-side.
- In a medium bowl, add the feta, the parsley, the dill, the lemon zest, and the garlic and toss until just combined.
- Sprinkle the feta mixture over the mayonnaise coating on the salmon fillet.
- Bake until just cooked through, with the fish reaching an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, about 25 minutes.
- Serve warm with the lemon wheels.
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