Baked Salmon and Golden Potatoes with Fresh Pesto
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Servings
4
Flaky salmon and pillowy potatoes are buttered and baked to perfection, then topped with a bright, fresh pesto that will make mouths water and taste buds rejoice! This easy-to-assemble recipe is perfect for any weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 lb salmon filet
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 lb baby gold potatoes, rinsed and quartered
- 1 small red onion, sliced pole to pole
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 cups packed basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup grated parmesan
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
-
1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts, fresh basil leaves, lemon wedges
Pesto Ingredients
Garnishes
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Make the pesto by combining all of the pesto ingredients in a food processor and blending until smooth. Set aside.
Prepare the salmon by rinsing and patting it dry. Use a filet knife and cut the salmon into 4 equally sized pieces.
Melt the butter, then whisk in the garlic and cayenne. Spread the potatoes and onion slices in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and arrange the lemon rounds throughout. Drizzle the potatoes and onion with half of the melted garlic butter, reserving the other half. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 375°F. Use a large spatula to push the potatoes and onion to the edges of the pan. Place the salmon filets in the center of the baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, brush the filets with the remaining garlic butter.
Bake for another 15-18 minutes until the salmon is cooked through. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and spoon generous heaps of pesto over the salmon filets. Top the filets with toasted pine nuts and fresh basil leaves. Garnish with lemon wedges. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve alongside a simple salad, or with warm bread and butter.
Recipe Note
TIP: Double the pesto recipe and freeze half to use later with pasta, chicken, or anything else that needs pesto-ing.
TIP: Pesto may be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Simply place in an airtight jar and drizzle a thin layer of olive oil over the top to keep it fresh. Or, freeze pesto in ice cube trays for up to 6 months.
TIP: Keeping the skin on the salmon while baking helps to keep it moist.
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