Salmon is a versatile fish as its distinctive flavor goes well with a wide variety of spices. In reality, salt and pepper are enough to make it delicious, but there are many other ways to flavor it and the only limit is your imagination. You can sprinkle the fish with spices just before cooking or you can let it marinate for a few hours. You can also try making a very tasty glaze or sauce.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Flavor the Salmon with the Spices
Step 1. Cook the baked salmon seasoned with salt, pepper and extra virgin olive oil
This recipe is a classic: pour a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil on the fillets and massage it on the fish with your fingers. Sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper before baking.
- Salmon has a delicious and distinctive flavor in its own right, so when you want to make a quick but tasty dinner, a very simple dressing can do the trick.
- If you want, you can add a few drops of lemon juice before serving.
Step 2. Use thyme or rosemary when grilling it on the barbecue or in the oven
When cooked in one of these ways, the salmon acquires an even more intense flavor, so it is best to use a herb with a strong aroma. Both rosemary and thyme are able to stand out on the strong taste of grilled salmon.
Sprinkle the dried aromatic herb on the fillets after having seasoned them with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or slip a few fresh sprigs under the fish while it cooks
Step 3. Use smoked paprika, cumin, or chili powder to accentuate the flavor of roasting
Sprinkle any or all of the spices on the fish before cooking it in the oven to recall the smoky notes of roasted foods. You can use the same spices even if you intend to cook it on the barbecue, to accentuate the aromas released by the charcoal.
Step 4. Use your favorite spice blend
Salmon has a very intense taste of its own that you can combine with a wide variety of spices. You can use a blend of Mediterranean spices or try something exotic. Salmon goes well with curry or Cajun, Mexican and North African flavors. Also try the Chinese Five Spice Blend. Spread the seasoning powder over the fish and cook it however you like, for example you can sauté it in a pan, roast it in the oven or grill it on the barbecue.
- If the mixture does not include salt, you can add it separately to bring out the aromas of the spices.
- When the salmon is cooked, you can add lemon or lime juice.
Method 2 of 3: Dry Marinate the Salmon
Step 1. Start with a simple dry marinade consisting of salt, pepper, garlic, paprika and olive oil
Pour a teaspoon of smoked paprika, a teaspoon of garlic powder, and a teaspoon of whole sea salt into a small bowl. Add a couple of ground black pepper, a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and the juice and zest of a lemon. Stir to mix the ingredients.
- Massage a salmon fillet weighing about 1 kg using the dry marinade. Let it infuse its flavors into the fish for 10-15 minutes.
- Bake the fish in the oven at 200 ° C for 25 minutes.
Step 2. Make a marinade by combining sweet and spicy flavors
Pour two tablespoons of brown sugar, one tablespoon of chili powder, and one teaspoon of cumin into a small bowl. Add salt, pepper (to taste) and then mix.
- Start with six salmon fillets. Grease them with extra virgin olive oil before sprinkling them with the dry marinade.
- Grill the salmon fillets for 5-6 minutes on both sides.
Step 3. Make an aromatic marinade using cumin, coriander and fennel seeds
Pour one teaspoon of cumin seeds, one teaspoon of coriander seeds and two teaspoons of fennel seeds into the spice grinder. Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika, one of garlic powder, one of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Grind the spices into a fine powder. Grease the salmon fillets with extra virgin olive oil and then sprinkle them with the dry marinade. Let them flavor for a few minutes before cooking them.
- If you toast them in a pan for a few minutes, the cumin, coriander and fennel seeds will have a more intense and decisive taste. There is no need to use oil, just don't lose sight of them because they can burn easily. After roasting them, grind them in the spice mill.
- If you don't have a spice grinder, you can use powdered spices.
Method 3 of 3: Flavor the Salmon with a Glaze, Salsa or Marinade
Step 1. Use citrus fruits, olive oil and fresh herbs to quickly flavor the fish
Chop any fresh herbs you have available, from dill to parsley. Grate the zest of one lemon into a bowl, then squeeze it and add the juice. Complete with chopped aromatic herbs and 1-2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
- You can also use basil, rosemary, coriander and even mint.
- Spread the dressing over the fish before cooking it in the oven or pan.
- If you are in a hurry, you can use a ready-made herbal pesto.
Step 2. Make an Asian-style marinade if you plan to grill salmon
Grilling accentuates the distinctive taste of the salmon, so you need to use a blend of intense flavors to season it. For example, you can make a marinade that includes fresh garlic and ginger.
- Prepare a mixture of garlic and ginger. Add 1-2 teaspoons of soy sauce, a few drops of sesame oil, 1-2 teaspoons of rice vinegar and a tablespoon of brown sugar to create the marinade. Leave the fish to flavor for at least two hours.
- If you prefer, you can use honey instead of brown sugar.
- If you want to cook salmon in a pan, add the marinade as well. Otherwise, drain it if you intend to grill it.
Step 3. Season the salmon with garlic, butter and lemon juice to cook it in foil
Use the juice of one lemon, three tablespoons of melted butter, two minced cloves of garlic and half a teaspoon of salt to season 500-600 g of salmon. Place the fillets on the aluminum foil, add the seasoning and wrap them in a foil before baking them in the oven at 190 ° C for about 15 minutes. Open the parcels and complete the cooking of the fish using the oven grill, it will take 2-3 minutes.
- You can also add ground black pepper and chilli, according to your personal tastes.
- When it's time to serve the salmon, spread the dressing over the fillets with the spoon. Add chopped fresh parsley.
Step 4. Flavor the butter with herbs and spices and use it as a sauce to flavor the salmon when it is already cooked
Let the butter soften at room temperature. When soft, add chopped fresh herbs typical of Mediterranean cuisine or a blend of exotic spices, along with salt and pepper. After cooking the salmon, season it with the flavored butter while it is still hot, so that it melts.
- You can also use black pepper or citrus peel.
- Try adding a splash of bourbon or whiskey and some brown sugar or honey.
Step 5. Make a yogurt spicy sauce in minutes
As an alternative to yogurt, you can use fresh or sour cream with the addition of a little milk. Include any spices, herbs, or flavorings of your choice, such as dill, salt, black pepper, curry, or the zest of a lemon.
