Lemon-Herb Stuffed Salmon Delight
Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Lemon-Herb Stuffed Salmon Delight, a refined dish that brings together tender salmon fillets and a creamy herb cheese filling. This winning recipe from the April 2009 BH&G Prize Tested Recipes combines the zest of lemon with a rich blend of garlic and herbs, perfectly balanced with a crunchy parmesan topping and toasted pine nuts. Easy to prepare in under 30 minutes, this luscious meal is ideal for a delightful dinner party or a cozy family gathering, especially when paired with a fresh salad.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
salmon fillets
6 (6 ounce, skinless)
lemon
1 (zested and cut into wedges)
spreadable cheese with garlic and herbs
5.25 (ounces)
sea salt
to taste
soft breadcrumbs
1 (cup (about 1.5 slices))
parmesan cheese
1/3 (cup, freshly shredded (1.5 oz))
butter
1/4 (cup, melted)
pine nuts
2 (tablespoons, toasted)
Instructions
1
If the salmon fillets are frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator until completely thawed. Rinse the fish under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
2
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
3
Use a microplane or zester to finely shred the peel of the lemon, collecting about 2 teaspoons of zest. Cut the lemon into wedges and set aside for serving.
4
In a small mixing bowl, combine the spreadable cheese and lemon zest, mixing until well incorporated.
5
Cut a pocket into the top of each salmon fillet, starting about 1/2 inch from one end. Be careful not to cut all the way through; if the fillets are thin, cut into the fish at a slight angle.
6
Stuff each salmon pocket with the cheese mixture evenly, ensuring each piece is filled. Season the outside of each fillet with sea salt to taste.
7
Place the stuffed salmon fillets in a baking pan, positioning them side by side without overlapping.
8
In a separate small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, freshly shredded parmesan cheese, melted butter, and toasted pine nuts until combined.
9
Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the tops of the stuffed fillets, pressing it down gently to adhere.
10
Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for about 14 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Keep an eye on the fillets to prevent overcooking.
11
Serve the Herbed Cheese Stuffed Salmon Delight immediately, garnished with lemon wedges for a bright, zesty finish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lemon-Herb Stuffed Salmon Delight?
It is a refined dish featuring tender salmon fillets filled with a creamy garlic-herb cheese and topped with a crunchy parmesan and pine nut mixture.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
How long does it take to prepare and cook this dish?
The entire meal can be prepared and cooked in under 30 minutes.
What type of salmon fillets should I buy?
You should use six 6-ounce skinless salmon fillets.
Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
Yes, but ensure they are completely thawed in the refrigerator and patted dry before use.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
What kind of cheese is used for the stuffing?
The recipe calls for 5.25 ounces of spreadable cheese with garlic and herbs.
How do I prepare the lemon for the recipe?
Finely shred the peel to get 2 teaspoons of zest and cut the rest of the lemon into wedges for serving.
How do I create a pocket in the salmon?
Cut a pocket into the top of each fillet, starting about 1/2 inch from one end, being careful not to cut all the way through.
What if my salmon fillets are very thin?
If the fillets are thin, cut into the fish at a slight angle to create the pocket.
How is the lemon zest used?
The lemon zest is mixed into the spreadable cheese before stuffing the salmon.
What seasoning is used for the fish?
The outside of each fillet should be seasoned with sea salt to taste.
What ingredients make up the crunchy topping?
The topping consists of soft breadcrumbs, freshly shredded parmesan cheese, melted butter, and toasted pine nuts.
How many breadcrumbs are needed?
You will need 1 cup of soft breadcrumbs, which is approximately 1.5 slices of bread.
How much parmesan cheese is required?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of freshly shredded parmesan cheese, which is about 1.5 ounces.
Do the pine nuts need to be prepared?
Yes, the 2 tablespoons of pine nuts should be toasted before being added to the topping mixture.
How should the salmon be arranged in the baking pan?
Place the stuffed fillets side by side in the pan without overlapping.
How long should the salmon bake?
Bake the salmon for approximately 14 minutes.
How do I know when the salmon is fully cooked?
The salmon is done when the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
How is the topping applied?
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the stuffed fillets and press down gently to make it adhere.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
Serve immediately garnished with lemon wedges, ideally alongside a fresh salad.
Can I substitute the spreadable cheese?
While garlic and herb spreadable cheese is recommended, you can use similar herb-infused cream cheeses.
Is this recipe suitable for guests?
Yes, its elegant presentation makes it ideal for dinner parties or special family gatherings.
How much butter is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of melted butter in the breadcrumb topping.
Was this recipe featured in a magazine?
Yes, it was a winning recipe from the April 2009 Better Homes & Gardens Prize Tested Recipes.
Should I rinse the salmon?
The instructions recommend rinsing the fish under cold water and patting it dry with paper towels.
Is this a healthy dinner option?
Yes, salmon is a great source of protein and healthy fats, and the recipe includes fresh lemon and herbs.
Can I make this if I am short on time?
Yes, it is specifically categorized as a meal that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.
What tools are needed for the lemon?
A microplane or zester is recommended for finely shredding the lemon peel.
Can I use dried breadcrumbs?
The recipe specifies soft breadcrumbs for a specific texture, but dried breadcrumbs can be used in a pinch for more crunch.