Marry Me Salmon (Printable version)
Golden seared salmon in a velvety cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.
# What You'll Need:
→ Salmon
01 - 4 (6 oz) skinless salmon fillets
02 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ For Searing
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Cream Sauce
05 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
08 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
11 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
12 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
13 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
→ To Finish
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
# Directions:
01 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add salmon fillets and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and just cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
04 - Pour in chicken or vegetable broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Simmer for 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
05 - Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
06 - Add fresh lemon juice to the sauce. Return salmon fillets to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Simmer for 2 minutes until salmon is heated through. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something from a fancy Italian restaurant
- Its the kind of meal that makes people pause mid conversation and ask what they are eating
02 -
- Dry your salmon thoroughly or it will steam instead of sear and you will miss out on that gorgeous golden crust
- Add the Parmesan off the heat to prevent it from separating and turning grainy in the cream
03 -
- Do not crowd the pan when searing or the salmon will steam instead of getting that golden crust
- Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the lemon or salt based on what your palate wants