Description
Succulent salmon meets irresistible creamy sauce in this marry me salmon recipe that promises to enchant dinner guests with its luxurious Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Elegant yet simple, this dish delivers a romantic culinary experience you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces/170 grams each), skin removed
Seasoning and Herbs:
- 1 salt, to taste
- 1 pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon/2.5 milliliters red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- ¼ cup/4 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Sauce and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons/30 milliliters olive oil
- ½ cup/120 milliliters sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- 1 cup/240 milliliters heavy cream
- ⅓ cup/40 grams grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Carefully season salmon fillets with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage on both surfaces.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat, adding olive oil to create a sizzling cooking surface.
- Gently place seasoned salmon into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust, approximately 4-5 minutes per side until perfectly cooked through.
- Transfer salmon to a separate plate, keeping warm while preparing the sauce.
- In the same skillet, melt butter with additional olive oil, creating a rich base for the sauce.
- Introduce minced garlic, sautéing until aromatic and releasing its delicate fragrance.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes, stirring to incorporate and develop deeper flavor profiles.
- Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up caramelized bits to enhance the sauce’s complexity.
- Reduce heat and incorporate heavy cream, grated Parmesan, fresh lemon juice, and Italian seasoning, whisking until the sauce smoothly thickens.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Carefully return salmon fillets to the skillet, gently coating each piece with the luxurious cream sauce.
- Allow salmon to simmer briefly, enabling flavors to harmonize and meld together.
- Finish the dish by sprinkling fresh chopped basil over the top for a vibrant, aromatic garnish.
- Serve immediately alongside roasted vegetables, pasta, or a crisp green salad for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Opt for fresh, high-quality salmon with vibrant color and firm texture to ensure the best taste and presentation.
- Select wild-caught salmon when possible, as it typically offers richer flavor and more nutritional benefits compared to farm-raised varieties.
- Pat salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming.
- Use a meat thermometer to check salmon’s internal temperature, ensuring it reaches 145°F without overcooking for tender, flaky results.
- Substitute dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or almond milk cream for a lactose-free version of the sauce.
- Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth or white wine to enhance sauce depth and accommodate different dietary preferences.
- For a low-carb option, serve the salmon over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta.
- Fresh herbs like dill or parsley can be excellent alternatives to basil, offering unique flavor profiles and additional brightness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 46 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg