Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
If you don’t have fresh dill on hand, feel free to substitute with a sprinkle of dried dill. The flexibility in ingredients is something I enjoy, bringing back memories of my abuela improvising with whatever was in the pantry.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Arrange the salmon fillets and asparagus on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure they are evenly spaced to allow even cooking.
- In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced garlic. Pour this mixture over the salmon and asparagus, ensuring everything is well coated.
- Sprinkle the dish with salt, pepper, and dill. I like to use my hands to gently massage the seasonings into the fish and vegetables, a trick I learned from watching my mother cook.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque and flaky when tested with a fork, and the asparagus is tender-crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
This dish is proof that a few simple steps can lead to something extraordinary. The key here is not to overcook the salmon, a lesson I learned after a few attempts in my early cooking days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International