Description
Delectable baked salmon in foil brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to dinner tables with elegant simplicity. Garlic butter sauce and tender asparagus complement the salmon’s rich, flaky texture for a memorable meal you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz/170 g each)
- 1 lb/450 g asparagus, trimmed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 tsp honey (optional, for balance)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Preparation: Layer individual foil sheets on a baking sheet, creating spacious packets capable of fully encasing salmon and asparagus with room for steam circulation.
- Salmon Placement: Center salmon fillets on foil sheets, artfully surrounding them with asparagus spears to ensure uniform cooking and aesthetic presentation.
- Seasoning: Generously coat salmon with salt, pepper, and herbaceous seasonings, distributing flavors comprehensively across the fish’s surface.
- Sauce Creation: Craft a luxurious garlic butter sauce by melting butter and infusing it with minced garlic and vibrant lemon zest, developing a robust flavor profile.
- Sauce Application: Methodically drench salmon and asparagus with the aromatic garlic butter sauce, guaranteeing complete flavor coverage and moisture retention.
- Packet Sealing: Meticulously fold and crimp foil edges, creating sealed packets that trap steam while allowing minimal expansion for even cooking.
- Oven Positioning: Arrange foil packets in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, ensuring consistent heat distribution throughout the cooking process.
- Roasting: Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, monitoring until salmon becomes flaky, translucent, and fully cooked through.
- Resting and Serving: Allow packets to rest briefly after removing from oven, then carefully open and plate the salmon and asparagus, preserving the dish’s aromatic essence.
Notes
- Choose Fresh Salmon: Select high-quality, fresh salmon fillets with vibrant color and minimal fishy odor for the best flavor and texture.
- Perfect Foil Technique: Create a loose but sealed packet to allow steam circulation while preventing moisture loss, ensuring tender and juicy salmon.
- Herb and Seasoning Balance: Use a light hand with herbs and salt, allowing the salmon’s natural flavor to shine through without overwhelming the delicate fish.
- Cooking Time Precision: Watch carefully during the 12-15 minute cooking window, as salmon can quickly become dry if overcooked – look for a slight translucent center and easy flaking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg