Description
Delectable Baked Salmon with Lemon Sauce brings Mediterranean coastal flavors straight to kitchen culinary adventures. Zesty citrus notes and perfectly flaked salmon create an elegant dish promising pure dining pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (170 g) salmon fillets, skin on or off
- 2 tbsps butter
- ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 30–45 mL)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: lemon slices, fresh thyme or dill (for baking)
- Optional: extra lemon zest or herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Oven: Ignite the oven to a scorching 400F (200C), positioning the rack in the center for optimal heat circulation.
- Salmon Preparation: Delicately arrange salmon fillets on a parchment-draped baking sheet, lavishing them with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Sauce Foundation: In a compact saucepan, transform butter into a golden pool over medium heat, introducing minced garlic and coaxing its aromatic essence for a brief moment until fragrant.
- Roux Creation: Integrate flour into the buttery garlic mixture, whisking vigorously to construct a smooth roux, allowing it to toast and develop a nutty undertone for approximately one minute.
- Liquid Integration: Gradually stream chicken broth into the roux, stirring continuously to prevent lumps, then introduce lemon juice and cream, orchestrating a gentle simmer that transforms the mixture into a luxuriously thickened sauce.
- Salmon Finale: Extract salmon from the oven once it achieves a translucent, flaky texture – approximately 10-12 minutes – and cascade the vibrant lemon sauce generously across its surface.
- Presentation: Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or delicate lemon zest, serving alongside roasted vegetables or a complementary starch to complete this culinary masterpiece.
Notes
- Watch salmon closely during baking; remove immediately when fish turns opaque and easily flakes to maintain tender, moist texture.
- Stir flour and butter continuously when creating the sauce base to prevent burning and ensure smooth, lump-free consistency.
- Add lemon juice gradually and taste to control tanginess, preventing the sauce from becoming too acidic or overpowering the delicate salmon.
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version, or use gluten-free flour blend to make recipe suitable for different dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg