Chef Johns Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S SALMON

Steps:

• Season salmon fillets with kosher salt. Line a baking baking sheet with foil and brush lightly with vegetable oil.
• Preheat oven's broiler on high and set the oven rack about 8 inches from the heat source.
• Process garlic, tarragon, and parsley in a blender or mortar and pestle to form a loose paste.
• Mix mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper into garlic paste until combined.
• Place salmon fillets skin side down on the baking sheet. Spoon herb spread over the top and sides of each fillet.
• Cook under the preheated broiler until fillets are well-browned, about 5 minutes. Turn the broiler off and turn the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake until the internal temperature of the salmon is 130 degrees F (55 degrees C) and salmon flakes easily with a fork, about 3 to 4 minutes.

LEMON PEPPER SALMON

Steps:

• Remove the salmon from the refrigerator, and let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet large enough to hold your piece of salmon with a large piece of aluminum foil. If you prefer the salmon not to touch the foil, lay a sheet of parchment paper on top.
• Lightly coat the foil with baking spay, then arrange 5 sprigs of the thyme down the middle. Cut one of the lemons into thin slices and arrange half of the slices down the middle too. Place the salmon on top.
• Drizzle the salmon with the olive oil. Zest the second lemon over the salmon and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Lay the remaining thyme and lemon slices on top of the salmon. Juice the zested lemon, then pour the juice over the top.
• Fold the sides of the aluminum foil up and over the top of the salmon until it is completely enclosed. If your piece of foil is not large enough, place a second piece on top and fold the edges under so that it forms a sealed packet. Leave a little room inside the foil for air to circulate.
• Bake the salmon for 18-21 minutes, until the salmon is almost completely cooked through at the thickest part. The cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your salmon. If your side is thinner (around 1-inch thick) check several minutes early to ensure your salmon does not overcook. If your piece is very thick (1 1/2 inches or more), it may need longer.
• Remove the salmon from the oven, and carefully open the foil so that the top of the fish is completely uncovered (be careful of hot steam). Change the oven setting to broil, then return the fish to the oven and broil for 3 minutes, until the top of the salmon is slightly golden and the fish is cooked through completely. Watch the salmon closely as it broils to make sure it doesn't overcook. Remove the salmon from the oven. If it still appears a bit underdone, you can wrap the foil back over the top and let it rest for a few minutes. Do not let it sit too long-salmon can progress from "not done" to "over done" very quickly. As soon as it flakes easily with a fork, it's ready.
• To serve, cut the salmon into portions. Sprinkle with additional fresh herbs or top with an extra squeeze of lemon as desired.

CHEF JOHN'S SALMON LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Generously butter a loaf pan.
• Melt butter over medium heat in a saute pan until bubbling. Toss in onion, give the pan a quick shake, and stir with a wooden spoon; cook for 1 minute. Turn off the heat and allow to cool.
• Place salmon in a large mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Add cracker crumbs, salt, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, rice vinegar, butter, and onions; mix and mash with a spatula or spoon until smooth.
• Separate eggs, adding whites to a clean glass, metal, or ceramic bowl and adding yolks to salmon mixture. Mix egg yolks and salmon until well combined.
• Whisk whites to medium stiff peaks. Gently fold into salmon mixture in 2 additions.
• Transfer salmon mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula to even it out and shake and tap the pan to remove any air bubbles.
• Bake in the center of the preheated oven until a toothpick comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes, then carefully turn loaf out onto a cutting board. Slice and serve.

SHEET PAN SALMON AND BELL PEPPER DINNER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a sheet pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Place salmon fillets, red and yellow bell peppers, and onion on the prepared sheet pan.
• Combine lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, water, maple syrup, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes, cumin, and parsley in a small bowl. Drizzle 2/3 of the sauce over the ingredients on the sheet pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Serve with lemon slices and remaining sauce.

CHEF JOHN'S BAKED LEMON PEPPER SALMON

Steps:

• Whisk together lemon juice and black pepper in small bowl. Add mayonnaise, miso paste, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper to lemon-pepper mixture; whisk together.
• Spread the lemon-pepper mixture over salmon fillets. Reserve about a tablespoon for later use.
• Cover salmon with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
• Place fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Spread remaining lemon-pepper mixture on fillets without letting it pool around base. Sprinkle with a pinch more black pepper and a generous amount of sea salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the fish flakes easily with a fork, 10 to 15 minutes.