Ingredients
Herb Sauce
- 1 cup fresh parsley (torn)
- 2 teaspoons dried dill or 2 Tablespoons freshly chopped dill
- 2 small garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoons capers (optional)
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2-3 Tablespoons sour cream, Greek yogurt, or non-dairy yogurt
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Main Dish
- 18-20 ounces Atlantic salmon fillet (about 3-4 fillets)
- 1 lb asparagus, trimmed
- ½ to 1 Tablespoons light olive oil
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
- Lemon juice and slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a baking sheet well or line it with parchment paper sized to fit the sheet. Set aside.
- Make Herb Sauce: Add parsley, dill, garlic, capers (if using), sour cream or yogurt, and lemon juice to a food processor or blender. Pulse a few times until finely chopped and starting to combine.
- Emulsify Sauce: With the machine running on low, slowly drizzle in olive oil through the top opening. Blend until smooth, creating a creamy emulsion.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust with salt, black pepper, or more lemon juice as needed. Set aside 2-3 tablespoons for basting or dipping if desired.
- Prepare Salmon and Asparagus: Place salmon fillets on one side of the baking sheet. Pat dry and season with salt and black pepper. Arrange asparagus spears on the other side or between fillets. Drizzle ½ tablespoon olive oil, splash with lemon juice, and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper over asparagus.
- Apply Sauce and Garnish: Brush each salmon fillet with ½ to 1 tablespoon of herb sauce. Garnish with lemon slices on top of each fillet.
- Bake: Bake for 10-14 minutes depending on salmon thickness (about 10 minutes per inch). Cook until internal temperature reaches 145°F and flesh flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove and Add Cheese: Remove from oven and sprinkle grated parmesan over asparagus if desired.
- Broil Asparagus: Set oven to broil (~500°F). Return the pan to the center rack for 1-2 minutes or until asparagus edges are crispy.
- Rest Salmon: Let salmon rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra chopped herbs if desired.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Notes
- If you don’t have a food processor or blender, finely chop the herbs and garlic by hand and whisk together all sauce ingredients with olive oil slowly to create the emulsion.
- Use sour cream, Greek yogurt, or a non-dairy yogurt alternative based on dietary preference or availability.
- Thicker salmon fillets may require longer baking times; use a thermometer to ensure proper doneness.
- Optional parmesan cheese adds a nice layer of savory flavor to the asparagus but can be omitted for a dairy-free option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat