Recipe Background
This oven-baked salmon boasts a balance of savor and sweet, perfect for easy entertaining.
When I first tried my hand at baked salmon, it was under the watchful eyes of my mom and her group of book club friends. I was a nervous teenager, entrusted with the role of preparing the main dish for their monthly gathering, since their regular caterer had a last-minute emergency. In an era where my pantry mostly housed instant noodles, the daunting task loomed large. Yet, there was my mom, ever supportive, nudging me into these uncharted waters with a wink and a can-do spirit. I vividly recall her handing me a whole salmon with a smile, saying, 'Make friends with it!' Embracing the challenge, I picked up cooking tips from her collection of stained, well-loved recipe cards, choosing an approachable combination of melted butter, fragrant garlic, and pantry staples like brown sugar and Italian seasoning.
Making my 'foil boat' might have looked like a sloppy effort then, but it captured all the rich juices, turning an otherwise simple dish into a flavorful showstopper. My mom’s friends applauded my effort, their approval hinged upon perfect slices that fell off the fork. To this day, I’ve always allowed the salmon to rest for a few minutes, ensuring clean, even slices. If only teenage me could have foreseen how this experience would lay the groundwork for a career where inventing new recipes from simple, fresh ingredients is my passion. Standing in the kitchen with my mom by my side taught me that a splash of creativity and a sprinkle of patience can turn culinary first steps into lifelong memories.
Ingredients
- 1 (2-pound) whole salmon skin-on
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Place the salmon, skin-side down, on the prepared baking sheet.
- Crimp the edges of the foil around the salmon to make what appears like a boat to catch the juices when baking.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and the minced garlic.
- Brush 1/2 of the garlic-butter over the salmon.
- In another small bowl, combine the brown sugar, the Italian seasoning, the paprika, the garlic powder, and the salt.
- Evenly sprinkle the spice mixture over the salmon.
- Drizzle the coated salmon with the remaining garlic-butter.
- Bake the coated salmon until it reaches your preferred doneness, between 125-145 degrees F, about 15-22 minutes. If desired, carefully baste the salmon with the juices halfway through baking.
- Allow the cooked salmon to rest for 5 minutes after baking.
- Serve.
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