Salmon is the perfect food for summer. It’s a gentle, lean fish that can be grilled or roasted in the oven. It also makes a fantastic addition to salads and sandwiches. If you’re looking to take your salmon to the next level, the following techniques will help you achieve the best results.
How to cook a perfect piece of salmon
The benefits of cooking salmon
There’s no doubt about it, cooking salmon is delicious. And this deliciousness comes from the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon. Omega-3s are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid that is part of the essential fatty acid family. They are known for being important for brain development, healthy skin, and overall cardiovascular health. The most common fatty acids found in salmon are the omega-3 fats DHA and EPA. It is these specific types of omega-3 fats that make salmon so beneficial to your health.
A simple, easy salmon recipe
Some of the best recipes are simple and easy to make, and that’s the case with the salmon recipe you’re about to learn. To make this dish, you will need:
One 8-ounce skinless salmon fillet
1/2 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped scallions
1/4 teaspoon salt
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Wash asparagus and cut off tough ends. Place salmon fillet on a baking sheet. Drizzle 2 teaspoons canola oil on top of salmon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until salmon flakes.
While salmon is baking, in a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat. Add asparagus and cook for 5 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Drain and discard asparagus, then return asparagus to pan. Add scallions, lemon zest and juice and 1/4 cup cold water. Cook over medium-high heat until liquid has reduced and thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
When salmon is done, transfer to a serving plate. Using a rubber spatula, gently spread asparagus mixture over salmon. Serve immediately.
Which fish to choose?
You don’t want to choose the wrong fish to cook. The first thing you should do is check the sell-by date on the fish. Buy fish that is far enough from the sell-by date that it will be safe to eat. Next, look for any signs of spoilage. If the fish has any visible mold or red or pink areas on it, this is an indicator that it has spoiled. Next, ask yourself if you want to grill, broil, or fry the fish. Each method will require different cooking times. If you’re planning on broiling the fish, choose a thick piece that will take a few minutes to cook. If you’re grilling it, choose a thinner piece that will cook faster. Finally, you should ask yourself how you plan on serving the fish. Does it need to be served rare, medium, or cooked to well done?
How to buy the best salmon?
To achieve the perfect salmon, you need to look for a fish that is of consistent size and clean. Always buy frozen fish that has been thawed, this will ensure you get the perfect flavor. When buying salmon, look for the skin to be white, and avoid fish with any bruising, scabs, or scurvy.
I’m Brian Danny Max, a chef and a writer at cookingtom.com. I’m here to talk about food and cooking, and to share some of my favorite recipes with you all! I’ve been interested in food and cooking since I was a child. My parents are both great cooks, and they taught me a lot about the kitchen. I’ve been cooking professionally for about 10 years now, and I’ve loved every minute of it! I specialize in healthy, flavorful recipes that are easy to make at home. I believe that anyone can cook a delicious meal, no matter their skill level. I’m here to help you learn how to cook, and to show you that it’s not as difficult as you might think! I hope you’ll check out my blog and my recipes, and I look forward to hearing from you!