Description
Succulent Baked Salmon with Avocado Feta elevates Mediterranean coastal cuisine with its harmonious blend of rich salmon and creamy feta. Crisp herbs and zesty lemon complement the delicate fish, inviting you to savor each flavorful bite of this elegant seafood experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 salmon fillets (without skin)
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Paprika to taste
Topping:
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1/3 cup (50 grams) feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, sliced
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and coat a ceramic baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent salmon from sticking.
- Create the fresh topping by gently combining diced avocado, crumbled feta, chopped dill, minced chives, fresh lemon juice, kosher salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Refrigerate the mixture to allow flavors to meld together.
- Carefully dry salmon fillets with paper towels to ensure crisp exterior. Arrange fillets in the prepared baking dish skin-side down.
- Whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and additional dill in a small bowl. Brush the mixture generously over each salmon fillet, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle fillets with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a light dusting of smoked paprika for added depth of flavor.
- Bake salmon in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, checking for doneness by gently testing with a fork – fish should easily flake and appear opaque throughout.
- Remove salmon from oven and immediately top each fillet with the chilled avocado-feta mixture, allowing the cool topping to contrast with the warm, tender fish.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with extra fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Pat salmon completely dry to ensure crispy exterior and prevent steaming during baking.
- Choose fresh, high-quality salmon with vibrant color and firm texture for best results.
- Customize topping by adding red pepper flakes for extra heat or swapping herbs based on personal preference.
- For dairy-free version, replace feta with dairy-free alternative like nutritional yeast or cashew crumble.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg