Herb Crusted Salmon

Herb Crusted Salmon

Guest Chef Alert! My dad, Charlie, cooked up this awesome recipe/dish.  It's one that he and my mom have pretty regularly and also make for guests.  I absolutely love the richness of salmon, with a crunchy top, served with asparagus on the side. Thanks, Dad!

Ingredients:
Salt and pepper4 (6- to 8-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons beaten egg
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced 1/4 cup fresh tarragon, chopped 
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons mayonnaise

Directions:

1. 
   1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees.  
   2. Dissolve 5 tablespoons salt in 2 quarts water in large container. Submerge salmon in brine and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Remove salmon from brine, pat dry, and set aside.  
   3. Meanwhile, melt butter in 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add panko and 1/8 teaspoon salt and season with pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until panko is golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. 

      

      (These are slightly more brown than ideal.)

   4. Transfer to bowl and let cool completely. Stir in egg and thyme until thoroughly combined. 
   5. Stir tarragon, mustard, and mayonnaise together in second bowl. 

      

      Mustard and herbs - just add mayo! 

   6. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet. Place 12 by 8-inch piece of aluminum foil on wire rack and lightly coat with vegetable oil spray. Evenly space fillets, skin side down, on foil. Using spoon, spread tarragon mixture evenly over top of each fillet. Sprinkle panko mixture evenly over top of each fillet, pressing with your fingers to adhere.  
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   12. Bake until center of thickest part of fillets reaches 115 degrees (for rare) and is still translucent when cut into with paring knife, 18 to 25 minutes.  
       
   13. Transfer salmon to serving platter and let rest for 5 minutes (temp will rise to 120) before serving with lemon wedges. Served here with roasted potatoes and asparagus! 
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
         Recipe: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/herb-crusted-salmon-53001841

(note: we did not change any of this recipe, so I wanted to give full credit to America's Test Kitchen.)

Quick Brag on our dinner location, just through the trees! 

Calvert Cliffs Beach - St. Leonard, Maryland

My super handsome dog!