"Screwdriver" Salmon
"Screwdriver" Salmon
Ingredients
4 6 ounce salmon fillets - skin removed if possible, but can be done with skin on
1/2 cup Whisher vodka
1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
1 tsp each zested orange peel, lemon peel and lime peel
1 tsp chopped fresh dill
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1/2 tsp fennel seed, crushed
1/2 tsp fresh cracked pink peppercorns (or black if that's all you have)
Additional citrus for serving
Steps
- Use a knife to score the flesh of each salmon fillet in a criss-cross fashion to make diamonds
- Combine orange juice, vodka, lemon juice, lime juice, orange peel, lemon peel, lime peel, dill, thyme, fennel seed and peppercorns to create the marinade
- Place salmon in a large sealable Ziploc bag and pour marinade over it. Refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
- Remove salmon and discard marinade
- To properly prepare this dish the salmon must rest uncovered in the refrigerator for about an hour. This allows the flesh of the salmon to slightly tighten and dry out.
- Remove the salmon from the refrigerator and allow to get to room temperature, about 20 minutes. This will allow the salmon to cook in the oven more evenly and avoid overcooking.
- Salmon can be cooked on a low rimmed baking sheet covered with parchment paper in the oven at 350 degrees until the internal temperature reaches about 135 degrees for medium, approximately 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. You can also cook the salmon on a well soaked cedar plank over a grill fire for about 12-15 minutes for a more smokey taste.
- Season salmon with a little finishing salt, some fresh chopped herbs like thyme and top with fresh slices of lime, orange, lemon or all of the above
NOTE: The USDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145 degrees for safety, however many foodies believe this is more overdone than they would prefer. If the salmon is fresh and properly handled 135 degrees works fine.
Recipe By: Chef Lou DiBennedetto of Perfectly Seasoned Chef
My name is Lou DeBenedetto and I started Perfectly Seasoned Chef to bring delicious, personalized food to individuals and families whose constraints don’t allow them the time to cook themselves. I specialize in weekly meal planning and cooking, dinner parties (both informal or formal), small group cooking classes and other special events. I am ServSafe certified. Allow me to do your menu planning, grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning, giving you more free time to be spent however you please! My services make great gifts for friends and family. I’ll be happy to provide gift certificates upon request. When you are ready to experience what it’s like to be served by the best personal chef in Howard County, Maryland – just give me a call (443) 498-8578 or contact me via email.
