Looking for a quick and easy dinner option? Check out this delicious Tuscan salmon recipe by Natashas Kitchen! In just 30 minutes, you can create a creamy sun-dried tomato and garlic sauce that perfectly complements the salmon. With simple ingredients like salmon fillets, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and heavy whipping cream, you can easily whip up this mouthwatering dish. Plus, Natashas Kitchen provides step-by-step instructions and helpful tips throughout the video, making it effortless to recreate this restaurant-quality meal at home. Whether you’re a busy mom or simply looking for a flavorful dinner option, this Tuscan salmon recipe is sure to impress your taste buds.
Ingredients
To make the Tuscan salmon, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained, and chopped
- 1/4 cup green onion, green parts, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, finely shredded
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
Make sure to gather all the ingredients before starting the recipe to ensure a smooth cooking process.
Sauce Preparation
Before cooking the salmon, you need to prepare the sauce. Here are the steps:
Preparation of sun-dried tomatoes
Begin by draining and chopping the sun-dried tomatoes. Make sure to remove any excess oil from them. You can chop them into small slices for added texture.
Chopping the garlic and green onion
Next, finely chop the garlic cloves and the green parts of the green onion. If you have fresh green onion from your garden, even better! This will add a fresh and vibrant flavor to the sauce. Save a little bit of the green onion for garnishing.
Preparing the garlic for mincing
To easily peel the garlic cloves, cut off the ends and lightly smash the side of the cloves with a knife. The peel should come off immediately. Finally, mince the garlic and set it aside.
Preparing the salmon fillets
For the salmon fillets, you can use boneless and skinless ones. Depending on the thickness of the fillets, you can use 1 1/2 to 2 lbs of salmon. If you prefer, you can leave the skin on, but keep in mind that it will take a little longer to cook on the stovetop.
Season the salmon fillets with the fine sea salt, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper. If you’re using skinless salmon, you can also season both sides of the fillets.
Salmon Cooking
Now that the sauce preparation is done, it’s time to cook the salmon. Follow these steps:
Seasoning the salmon fillets
Heat a large non-reactive skillet over medium heat and melt the butter with the olive oil. Here’s a quick tip: if you want to make sure the butter doesn’t splatter, rotate the pan while it melts. If you don’t rotate it, solid milk solids can get stuck under the fat and cause splattering.
Once the butter is melted and foamy, add the salmon fillets to the skillet. Cook them for three to five minutes per side, depending on the thickness of your salmon or until the salmon is fully cooked through and registers 145 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the salmon. I highly recommend using an instant-read thermometer for perfect cooking every time.
Keep in mind that thinner and smaller salmon fillets will cook a little faster, so keep an eye on them. Once the salmon is cooked, transfer it to a plate and tent it with aluminum foil to keep it warm. Just like with other cuts of meat, it’s important to let the salmon rest. This ensures an incredibly tender and flaky salmon.
Sauce Making
With the salmon cooked, it’s time to make the creamy Tuscan sauce. Follow these steps:
Adding oil, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes to the pan
If needed, add more oil to the same skillet and then add the minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and your prepared minced garlic. Sauté them for just one minute. Keep stirring until the aroma of garlic fills the air.
Adding cream and parmesan cheese to the pan
Next, add the heavy whipping cream to the skillet and sprinkle the finely shredded parmesan cheese on top. Anytime you use an acidic ingredient like sun-dried tomatoes in heavy cream, you definitely want to make sure you’re using a non-reactive skillet to prevent the sauce from curdling and breaking.
Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for a minute or until it thickens and condenses.
Simmering and condensing the sauce
Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, add the fresh baby spinach leaves. Stir them in for another 30 seconds or until the spinach wilts. It’s amazing how much those spinach leaves shrink but they add that lovely fresh pop of color and flavor. Taste the sauce and add more seasoning if needed.
Adding baby spinach leaves to the sauce
Finally, turn off the heat and return the salmon fillets to the sauce. Once the fillets are nicely nestled in the sauce, it’s ready to be served.
Combining Salmon and Sauce
Placing the cooked salmon in the sauce allows the flavors to meld together, creating a harmonious and delicious dish. Take your time to gently nestle the salmon fillets in the sauce for the best presentation and flavor.
Final Touches
To give the dish a finishing touch, garnish it with fresh garlic chives. Sprinkle the finely chopped chives over the salmon and sauce for added freshness and aroma. The beautiful green color will also enhance the visual appeal of the dish.
Serving
The Tuscan salmon can be served in various ways, depending on your preferences. Here are some options:
- Serve the salmon over white rice for a simple and satisfying meal.
- Pair the dish with mashed potatoes for a comforting and hearty dinner.
- Serve it with roasted potatoes for a crispy and flavorful side.
- Accompany the salmon with pasta, as the creamy sauce pairs perfectly with any pasta shape.
Feel free to get creative and serve it with your favorite side dishes or vegetables. The versatile nature of this dish allows you to customize it according to your taste and dietary preferences.
Reviewing the Recipe
The Tuscan salmon recipe is not only delicious but also easy to make. The creamy sun-dried tomato and garlic sauce complements the salmon perfectly, creating a restaurant-quality dish that’s incredibly flavorful. The recipe uses simple ingredients that are easily accessible, making it a great option for a quick and satisfying dinner.
One key tip for perfectly cooked salmon is to use a thermometer. This ensures that the salmon is cooked to the right temperature, resulting in a tender and juicy texture. The instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking and guarantees consistent results every time. Don’t forget to mention this in your recipe review to help others achieve perfectly cooked salmon as well.
Alternative Recipe
If you’re looking for a different salmon dish to try, here’s an alternative recipe inspired by Natasha’s Kitchen:
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Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried dill, salt, and pepper.
- Place the salmon fillets on a lined baking sheet and brush the honey mustard mixture over each fillet.
- Bake the salmon for 10-12 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve the honey mustard salmon with your favorite side dishes and enjoy.
This alternative recipe offers a different flavor profile for salmon lovers to explore. It combines the sweetness of honey with the tanginess of Dijon mustard, creating a unique and delicious glaze for the salmon.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy making and savoring the Tuscan salmon recipe. With its rich and creamy sauce packed with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach, it’s a dish that will impress your taste buds. Whether you’re a busy mom looking for a quick and flavorful option or simply someone who loves cooking and trying new recipes, this Tuscan salmon is sure to become a new favorite.
Please feel free to leave your feedback and suggestions in the comments below. Your input is valuable and helps me improve and create more delicious recipes. I’d love to hear about your experience making the Tuscan salmon and any variations you tried.
Happy cooking!
