Description
Ina Garten’s seared salmon brings Mediterranean flair to dinner tables with its zesty red pepper aioli. Crisp exterior and delicate fish combine with spicy, creamy sauce, creating a restaurant-worthy meal you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless, center-cut salmon fillets
- 1 cup good mayonnaise, such as Hellmann’s
- 1 lime, quartered, for serving
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
- 1 tablespoon (canned) chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
- ¼ cup jarred roasted red peppers, seeded and chopped
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
Seasonings:
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Good olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare a robust cast-iron skillet by heating it thoroughly over high temperature until scorching hot, approximately 5 minutes, targeting 400°F (200°C).
- Create a vibrant chipotle-roasted red pepper aioli by finely mincing garlic and chipotle pepper into a coarse paste. Transfer the mixture to a food processor, incorporating lime juice and roasted red peppers, then purée until smooth.
- Blend mayonnaise into the purée, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Whisk until the sauce reaches a silky consistency and set aside for later use.
- Pat salmon fillets completely dry using paper towels, then massage with olive oil. Season generously with 1 salt and black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
- Position salmon fillets skin-side down in the searing hot skillet, cooking undisturbed for precisely 2 minutes to develop a golden, crispy exterior.
- Carefully flip fillets using a metal spatula, then transfer the skillet directly into the preheated oven. Roast for 3 to 4 minutes, aiming for a rare to medium-rare internal temperature.
- Remove skillet from oven and loosely tent with aluminum foil. Allow salmon to rest for 3 to 5 minutes, which helps retain moisture and complete the cooking process.
- Plate the salmon alongside the prepared chipotle aioli, garnishing with fresh lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus brightness.
Notes
- Hot skillets transform salmon’s texture, creating a golden-brown crust that seals in rich, delicate flavors while preventing moisture loss during cooking.
- Drying salmon fillets thoroughly removes excess surface moisture, enabling restaurant-quality caramelization and eliminating unwanted steaming that dulls the fish’s natural essence.
- Resisting the urge to move salmon during initial searing develops a stunning crispy exterior, letting natural sugars and proteins develop complex, deep-colored crusts.
- Aluminum foil tenting after roasting allows residual heat to gently complete cooking, maintaining succulent meat and redistributing internal juices for maximum tenderness.
- Chilled aioli provides a refreshing temperature contrast against warm salmon, introducing bright, tangy notes that elevate the entire dining experience.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (of 4 servings)
- Calories: 273
- Sugar: 0.7g
- Sodium: 117.7mg
- Fat: 13.9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.9g
- Carbohydrates: 2.3g
- Fiber: 0.7g
- Protein: 34.3g
- Cholesterol: 93.6mg