Impress your family or friends with this wonderful one pan dish. The lemon, garlic and herb butter melts over the salmon filets while baking and gives them a wonderful flavor. It's a quick dinner to make when you don't have much time but still want a heal
2 lb. salmon filet, cut into six 6 oz portions
2 lb. (about 2 bunches) asparagus, washed and ends removed
salt and black pepper, to taste
1 T. olive oil
1 small lemon, sliced into rings, for garnish
Lemon-Garlic-Herb Butter:
8 T. unsalted butter, softened
2 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice from 1 small lemon
2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
2 T. freshly chopped parsley
1 t. salt
¼ t. black pepper
Preheat oven to 450 degrees with oven rack in the top third. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, trimming the paper to just fit so it doesn't go over edges of pan to prevent the paper from charring under broiler.
One-Pan Salmon Asparagus:
Place salmon filets in a row down the center of the lined baking pan. Arrange asparagus on both sides of the salmon. Drizzle asparagus lightly with olive oil; roll to coat. Sprinkle asparagus and salmon with salt and pepper.
In a medium bowl, mash together all ingredients for flavored butter using a fork. It will take several minutes to come together. A food processor could be used if preferred.
Spoon three-fourths of the flavored butter over the salmon; spread evenly. Dab remaining butter over the asparagus. Top each salmon filet with a slice of lemon. Bake uncovered for 10-12 minutes. A thinner fillet will take 10 minutes and larger fillet takes about 12 minutes.
Set the oven to BROIL; bake another 2-3 minutes to give the salmon a golden color. Bake until salmon is flaky and cooked through.
6 servings.
*To Speed-Soften Butter: Place wrapped stick of butter in airtight zip-loc bag and submerge bag in warm (100˚F) water, placing a weight over the top so it doesn’t float. Let sit 10 -15 minutes until softened.