PAN-SEARED SALMON

This recipe is so simple even a novice cook cannot ruin it.  It uses garden fresh garlic and scallions to great advantage.  The salmon remains center stage, but the chopped garlic and scallions bring fresh, bright flavors to the recipe along with a bit of heat from the cayenne pepper.

Garden fresh garlic

Ingredients: 2 persons

1 lb. King salmon fillet with skin*
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup chopped scallions
1 cup chopped fresh garlic

Salmon fillet with skin side down

* Don't waste salmon skin.  Salmon skin crisps up beautifully and it's a real treat.

Pan-seared salmon ready to be served

 

Procedure

Wipe the fish fillet with paper towels
Sprinkle fish with salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper
Heat a large skillet on high for at least 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the oil, scallions and garlic
Saute for a minute. 
Add the fish fillet, skin side down. 
Turn the heat down to medium-high and cook for 7 to 10 minutes until just opaque in center.  A nice crust will form.
Flip only once and continue to cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet.
Serve the fish skin side down with the green underneath it.