Cooking Class: Roasted Salmon Filets

By Executive Chef Justin Wangler 
In: Recipes

Kendall-Jackson Executive Chef Justin Wangler is back with another easy to follow, step-by-step cooking demonstration. Follow along at home as he creates Salmon for 8 roasted to perfection. Ingredients and full recipe below. Don't forget to pair with a glass of Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay

Roasted Salmon Fillets with Green Goddess Dressing

Author: 
Ingredients

For the salmon:

8 (1⁄4-lb) skinless wild salmon fillets, preferably center-cut
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
2 bunches fresh thyme
1 lemon, cut crosswise into 8 slices

For the green goddess dressing:

1⁄2 clove garlic
1⁄2 shallot
2 olive oil–packed anchovy fillets
1⁄2 cup firmly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1⁄4 cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves
2 tablespoons fresh dill leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 green onion, white and green parts, chopped
1⁄4 cup plus 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1⁄4 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
1⁄4 avocado, peeled
2 tablespoons white verjus Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 lb. assorted baby vegetables (such as carrots, fennel, radishes, turnips, sweet peppers, sugar snap peas, etc.)
Sel gris, for serving

Instructions

For the salmon:

Preheat the oven to 275°F. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Brush both sides of each fillet with the olive oil, then sprinkle both sides with salt. Divide the thyme sprigs into 8 equal portions, then arrange the portions in mounds on a half sheet pan. Top each thyme “nest” with 1 lemon slice and a salmon fillet. Cover the pan loosely with parchment paper. Roast the salmon for 12 to 15 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a fillet registers 118°F for medium-rare. The salmon should be just cooked through and soft when pressed with a fingertip. Let rest for 3 minutes before serving.

For the green goddess dressing:

In a blender, combine the garlic, shallot, anchovy, parsley, basil, tarragon, dill, chives, green onion, mayonnaise, yogurt, avocado, and verjus and process until smooth. Season with kosher salt and pepper. You should have about 11/2 cups. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. It will keep for up to 2 days. To serve: Trim the vegetables as needed and arrange on a platter or large serving board. Transfer the dressing to a serving bowl. Put the sel gris into a small pinch bowl. Serve the vegetables with the dressing and sel gris alongside.

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