Description
Festive Christmas Salmon combines classic holiday flavors with elegant seafood preparation. Norwegian salmon meets traditional seasonal spices, creating a delightful main course you’ll savor during special gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 side salmon (2 to 2.5 lbs / 0.9 to 1.1 kg), skin on
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsps fresh dill, finely chopped
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- ¼ cup almonds, finely chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Fresh lemon juice, for drizzling
- Pomegranate seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Glaze Preparation: Melt butter with honey and garlic in a saucepan until smooth and aromatic, then set aside to cool.
- Salmon Setup: Preheat oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with foil. Position salmon skin-side down and season with salt and pepper, thoroughly coating with prepared honey butter glaze.
- Initial Baking: Enclose salmon in foil packet, creating a sealed environment to preserve moisture. Bake for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to infuse and fish to cook gently.
- Caramelization Stage: Unfold foil and increase oven temperature to 425F. Continue baking for 10 minutes until salmon develops a golden exterior and reaches optimal doneness.
- Dill Sauce Creation: Blend sour cream, lemon zest, chopped dill, and seasoning in a bowl. Refrigerate to enhance flavor profile and allow ingredients to harmonize.
- Festive Topping Assembly: Combine chopped cranberries, almonds, and parsley in a separate bowl to create a vibrant, textural garnish.
- Final Presentation: Transfer salmon to serving platter, generously spread dill sauce across the surface, and sprinkle holiday topping. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and a fresh lemon juice drizzle. Serve immediately to showcase the festive culinary masterpiece.
Notes
- Choose Fresh Salmon: Select high-quality, fresh salmon with firm, vibrant flesh and minimal fishy odor for the best flavor and texture.
- Control Glaze Temperature: Melt butter and honey gently to prevent burning, stirring constantly for a smooth, even coating that caramelizes beautifully.
- Monitor Baking Time: Watch salmon closely during the final caramelization stage to prevent overcooking, ensuring a moist and tender result.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap dairy components with dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or plant-based yogurt for lactose-intolerant guests, maintaining the sauce’s creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg