Imagine a dish that transforms an ordinary dinner into a Mediterranean culinary adventure - our Lemon Baked Salmon with Toasted Pine Nuts and Mint Yogurt Sauce is exactly that magical recipe! Packed with vibrant flavors and incredibly simple to prepare, this gourmet-style meal will make you feel like a professional chef without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a restaurant-worthy meal, this recipe promises to elevate your cooking game with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This will ensure that your salmon cooks evenly and develops a nice, flaky texture.
- Prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with a tablespoon of olive oil. This will help prevent the salmon from sticking to the dish.
- Place the salmon fillets in the prepared baking dish, skin-side down. Season them generously with salt and pepper to taste.
- Arrange the lemon slices on top of each salmon fillet. The lemons will infuse the fish with a bright, citrus flavor as it bakes.
- Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the salmon and lemon slices to enhance the flavor and help with browning.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake the salmon for about 20-25 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- While the salmon is baking, prepare the toasted pine nuts. In a small skillet over medium heat, add the pine nuts and toast them for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, chopped fresh mint, and a pinch of salt. Stir until well combined to create the mint yogurt sauce.
- Once the salmon is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes.
- To serve, place a salmon fillet on each plate, spoon some of the mint yogurt sauce over the top, and sprinkle the toasted pine nuts on each fillet for added crunch and flavor.
- Garnish with additional fresh mint or lemon wedges if desired, and enjoy your Lemon Baked Salmon with Toasted Pine Nuts and Mint Yogurt Sauce!
Tips
- Choose high-quality, fresh salmon fillets with a bright color and firm texture for the best results.
- Pat your salmon dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure perfect browning and crisp edges.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness - salmon is perfectly cooked at 145°F (63°C).
- For extra flavor, let the salmon marinate in lemon and olive oil for 15-20 minutes before baking.
- Toast pine nuts slowly and watch carefully to prevent burning - they can go from perfectly golden to burnt in seconds.
- If you don't have fresh mint, dried mint can work, but use half the amount.
- Allow the salmon to rest for a few minutes after baking to help retain its moisture and juiciness.
- For a dairy-free alternative, replace Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt or a tahini-based sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 214kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 25mg
