Baked Honey Dill Salmon

Baked Honey Dill Salmon.

Many people say that they don’t like fish, especially salmon.  As a child, I used to be one of them.  When asked why they don’t like salmon the answer will almost always be that it smells fishy.  I tell them that if it’s fresh and it’s cooked properly, it will not have a fishy smell or taste.

Cooking the perfect salmon is somewhat of an art-form.  Quality and freshness are of the upmost importance.  First, you have to start with fresh pieces of salmon.  By fresh, I mean, get up and go the market the day you will make the fish.  If the fish sits in the refrigerator a few days, it will start to have that fishy smell and taste.

Second, the cooking time has to be just right.  Overcooking the salmon will produce a tough fish.  I have had this overcooked rubbery salmon in a number of chain restaurants that will remain nameless.  I will never order salmon in those places again.

Third, additional flavors should enhance the salmon, not overpower it.  The salmon should be the center of attention.  Some places drench their fish in so many spices, you can’t event taste the fish.  I suspect that it’s to cover up for the fish not being fresh enough.

This is a healthy dish you can prepare in just a few minutes.  I believe that it took me less than 10 minutes to prepare.

Steps To The Perfectly Cooked Salmon:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Lay the salmon pieces skin down on a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.  Note: the skin will help the fish retain its moisture and flavor.  It is also full of nutrients.  Do not be tempted to have your fishmonger or butcher remove the skin.

Fresh, uncooked salmon.

• Next, comes the dill.  Ah, how I love the smell of fresh dill!  It smells like pure freshness.  It’s one of my favorite herbs.  Rip a few sprigs of the fresh dill and top each piece of salmon will the dill.  If you like, you can use a pair of kitchen scissors to cut the dill more finely and evenly.  I just used my hands to rip as much as I wanted off.

• In a small saucepan, melt the butter.  Stir in the honey and salt.  Cook for a few additional minutes.  Remove from heat.
• Top each piece of salmon with a few tablespoons of the butter sauce.

Pour butter sauce on salmon.

• Bake for exactly 18 minutes.  Trust me on this one.  Anything less then that and the inside of the salmon will be tartare or sushi.  Anything more than that and the fish will start to harden.  At 18 minutes, the salmon will be tender, flaky, and delicious.

Today, I served it with buttered corn, and a baked potato will all of the fixings.

Baked Honey Dill Salmon with delicious sides.

If you are on keto-friendly or another low/reduced carb diet, you can serve with a large Greek salad.

Enjoy!

#BakedSalmon