Alton Brown Baked Salmon Recipes

I.C. SALMON WITH DILL-YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the salmon on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet. Rub the fillets with 2 teaspoons of the salt, then refrigerate for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, set your immersion circulator bath for 124 degrees F (51 degrees C).
• Pat the salmon dry with paper towels, then divide between two gallon-size vacuum-seal or high-quality freezer zip-top bags. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the olive oil to each bag, then gently rub the fish to coat. Use a peeler to harvest eight strips of lemon peel and place two strips, pith-side up, on top of each fillet. Halve and juice the lemon; set the juice aside to use in the sauce. If using vacuum-seal bags, use the "gentle" or "moist" setting to seal the bags.
• Transfer the fillet bags to the water bath. If using zip-top bags, let the salmon sink, forcing the air out of the bag via displacement. Right before the mouth of the bag goes into the water, seal the bag. Leave the salmon to cook for 45 minutes. (If one of the bags floats, carefully reopen and try the sink-and-seal method again.)
• While the salmon cooks, make the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, dill, mustard, horseradish, and pepper. Stir in the remaining teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice. Stir well, then season to taste with additional salt, pepper, and lemon juice, if desired. Set aside until ready to serve.
• When the salmon is finished, remove it from the water bath. Open the bags and very carefully remove the fish to a paper towel-lined sheet pan. Pat the fish as dry as possible with additional paper towels. Brush the skin side lightly with some of the neutral oil.
• Heat a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat for 3 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons of the neutral oil and swirl the pan to coat. When the oil starts to smoke, add two of the salmon fillets, skin-side down. Brush the flesh side lightly with additional oil. Cook until the skin is browned and crisp, about 1 minute. Carefully flip with a narrow metal spatula or "fish turner" and cook on the second side just until just brown, about 30 seconds. Carefully transfer to a serving platter and repeat with the remaining oil and fillets. Serve with the dill-yogurt sauce.

SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together salt, sugar, brown sugar and peppercorns. Spread extra-wide aluminum foil a little longer than the length of the fish and top with an equally long layer of plastic wrap. Sprinkle 1/3 of the rub onto the plastic. Lay 1 side of the fish skin down onto the rub. Sprinkle 1/3 of the rub onto the flesh of the salmon. Place second side of salmon, flesh down onto the first side. Use the remaining rub to cover the skin on the top piece. Fold plastic over to cover then close edges of foil together and crimp tightly around the fish. Place wrapped fish onto a plank or sheet pan and top with another plank or pan. Weigh with a heavy phone book or a brick or two and refrigerate for 12 hours. Flip the fish over and refrigerate another 12 hours. Some juice will leak out during the process so make sure there's a place for the runoff to gather. Unwrap fish and rinse off the cure with cold water. Pat salmon with paper towels then place in a cool, dry place (not the refrigerator) until the surface of the fish is dry and matte-like, 1 to 3 hours depending on humidity. A fan may be used to speed the process. Smoke fish (see Note) over smoldering hardwood chips or sawdust, keeping the temperature inside the smoker between 150 degrees F and 160 degrees F until the thickest part of the fish registers 150 degrees. Serve immediately or cool to room temperature, wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Cook's Note: Trout, mackerel, and bluefish also smoke well.

COHO SALMON FILLETS

Steps:

• Set a 10-inch nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Brush each fillet with the oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper. Place the fillets in the pan flesh side down. Cook for 2 minutes. Turn each fillet over and continue to cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer the fillets to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

BROILED SOCKEYE SALMON WITH CITRUS GLAZE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the oven 3 inches from the broiler. Line a half sheet pan with aluminum foil and place the salmon on the pan.
• Place the sugar, zest, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a small food processor and process for 1 minute or until well combined. Evenly spread the mixture onto the salmon and allow to sit for 45 minutes, at room temperature.
• Turn the oven on to the high broiler setting for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, place the salmon into the oven and broil for 6 to 8 minutes or until the thickest part of the fish reaches an internal temperature of 131 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the salmon from the oven and allow to rest, uncovered, for 8 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

PARMESAN CRUSTED & BAKED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Fillet salmon and place skin side down on a glass baking dish.
• Spread a generous amount of mayonnaise; cover entire top of fish.
• Sprinkle liberally with seasoned salt, cheese and dry bread crumbs.
• Bake about 25 to 30 minutes, uncovered.
• Place under broiler until top turns brown.

BROILED SALMON WITH SPICE POMADE - ALTON BROWN

Steps:

• Rub sheet pan with the 2 teaspoons of oil and place side of salmon in pan. Salt and pepper salmon. Set aside.
• Add coriander, fennel seed, cumin seed, star anise, onion powder, garlic powder and cayenne pepper to a blender. Turn blender on high and process until whole spices become powder. With blender running, pour in 1/3 cup canola oil and blend until well combined. Stop blender to brush down sides of container, if necessary.
• Brush salmon with spice mixture. Allow salmon to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to the high broiler setting. Place salmon in the oven 6-inches from broiler. Cook until salmon reaches an internal temperature of 131 degrees F. This will take approximately 15 minutes, but will vary with different ovens. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes, and then serve immediately. Note that the internal temperature of the fish will a rise a little as carry-over cooking occurs.

BAKED SALMON

Steps:

• In a medium glass bowl, prepare marinade by mixing garlic, light olive oil, basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and parsley.
• Place salmon fillets in a medium glass baking dish, and cover with the marinade.
• Marinate in the refrigerator about 1 hour, turning occasionally.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place fillets in aluminum foil, cover with marinade, and seal.
• Place sealed salmon in the glass dish, and bake 35 to 45 minutes, until easily flaked with a fork.

SALMON FILLET EN PAPILLOTE - ALTON BROWN

Steps:

• Take a 15 by 36-inch piece of parchment paper and fold in 1/2 like a book. Draw a large 1/2 heart on paper with fold of paper being the center of the heart. Cut out heart and open.
• Lay fennel, leeks, carrots, and snow peas on parchment in center to 1 side of fold.
• Mix together salt, pepper, and ground coriander. Sprinkle vegetables with 1/2 of salt, pepper, and coriander.
• Lay salmon on top of vegetables and season with remaining salt, pepper and coriander.
• Top with the orange wedges and sprinkle with vermouth. Fold other side of heart over fish and starting at top of heart shape, fold up both edges of parchment, overlapping folds as you move along. Once you reach the end tip, twist several times to secure tightly.
• Place on microwave safe plate and cook for 4 minutes, on high in microwave, or until fish reaches 131 degrees. Open parchment carefully and serve for a complete meal.

ALTON BROWN'S BAKED BROWN RICE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375ºF.
• Boil the water and add the butter and salt. Stir to dissolve salt and melt butter.
• Place the rice in an 8" casserole dish. Pour the boiling water mixture over the rice and stir.
• Cover with foil and bake on the middle rack for 1 hour.
• Fluff with fork and serve.
• This rice also refrigerates and reheats fairly well, but it's best freshly made.