Lovely Bit A Salmon Recipe

Prepare salmon

Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Check for any pin bones and remove with tweezers if present. Place fillets skin-side down on a plate or shallow dish.

Make marinade

In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice (1 tbs), honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, 2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper until combined.

Marinate

Brush or spoon half the marinade over the top of the salmon, reserving the other half for basting. Cover and refrigerate for 15–30 minutes (no more than 1 hour) to allow flavor to penetrate.

Heat a large nonstick or stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1 tbs olive oil and swirl to coat. Season the skin lightly with the remaining 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper just before cooking.

Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the pan (work in batches if necessary). Press gently with a spatula for 10 seconds to ensure even contact. Cook undisturbed 4–5 minutes until the skin is crisp and the fish is cooked about two-thirds of the way up the side.

Flip the fillets carefully and reduce heat to medium. Spoon the reserved marinade over the tops and continue cooking 1–2 minutes more, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 125–130°F for medium-rare to medium (cook to 140°F if you prefer well done). Remove salmon to a warm plate and tent with foil to rest for 3–4 minutes.

Wipe the skillet lightly with a paper towel if excess fat remains, leaving browned bits in the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and add 2 tbs butter. When butter melts, add the chopped shallot and sauté 1–2 minutes until softened and fragrant but not browned.

Pour in the white wine (or chicken stock) and scrape up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Simmer 1–2 minutes until the liquid is reduced by about half.

Stir in the remaining 1 tbs lemon juice and the chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with the remaining 1 tsp salt if needed. Remove from heat and swirl in a little additional butter (optional) for sheen.

Spoon the warm pan sauce over the salmon fillets. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and microgreens or arugula if using, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Serve the Lovely Bit a Salmon immediately with simple sides: steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad. Squeeze a lemon wedge over each fillet to finish.