A Culinary Friendship That Inspired a Favorite Recipe
Many years ago, we lived next door to a family who shared our love for cooking. Both the husband and wife enjoyed spending time in the kitchen, experimenting with new dishes and techniques. We often found ourselves chatting in the front yard, exchanging ideas about recipes we had recently tried or culinary skills we were mastering.
European vs. American Butter: A Croissant Experiment
At one point, our neighbor was on a quest to perfect the art of the croissant. He was testing European butter, known for its higher fat content, against American butter. Lucky for us, my family got to be the taste testers during this delicious experiment! In return, I shared a jar of my freshly canned apricot jam – a household favorite and frequent gifting items.
A Simple Dinner That Led to a New Salmon Recipe
One evening, our neighbors invited us over for dinner, serving a salmon dish that left a lasting impression. I love it when guests enjoy a dish so much that they ask for the recipe—it’s one of the reasons I started this blog! Naturally, I asked how they made the salmon, but instead of a detailed recipe, I received a small scrap of paper listing just a few key ingredients: salmon, mustard, sugar, citrus, and herbs.
Perfecting the Recipe: From Ingredients to Family Favorite
Over the years, I’ve refined that vague list of ingredients into a quick, adaptable, and delicious salmon recipe that my entire family loves. Using a cooking technique I learned from America’s Test Kitchen, the salmon gets a dry rub and then is quickly seared before finishing in the oven at a low temperature – the result is perfectly glazed and tender salmon. It takes only minutes to prepare, and it’s become a go-to meal any night of the week, yet impressive enough to serve to guests. Simply serve with a side of roasted vegetables and a green salad.
Cheers,
Christina
Salmon with Orange Mustard Glaze
Ingredients
Glaze
- zest of one orange
- 3 tbsp orange juice
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- ¼ tsp salt
- pinch cayenne
Dry rub
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp cornstarch
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1- 1⅓ lbs salmon fillet, cut into 4 servings
- 1 tsp avocado oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300℉. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together all ingredients for the glaze. Bring to a boil and then reduce immediately, whisking constantly until thickened, about 1 minute. Set aside and cover to keep warm.
- In a small bowl, combine the dry rub ingredients. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and then sprinkle the dry rub evenly on the salmon.
- Heat the oil in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Place the salmon, flesh side down, and cook until browned, about 1 minute. Using a spatula, flip the salmon and cook skin side down for 2 minutes.
- Remove the salmon from the pan and place on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the glaze on top of the salmon and transfer to the oven.
- Roast the salmon for 10-12 minutes, depending on preference and thickness of fillets.