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Oven-baked Mediterranean butter-poached salmon with burst cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs in a ceramic baking dish.

Mediterranean Butter-Poached Salmon with Blistered Tomatoes

A luxurious yet incredibly easy one-pan salmon dinner gently poached in an aromatic garlic butter and extra virgin olive oil sauce, complete with burst cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • * 2 large thick center-cut Atlantic salmon fillets (1½–2 inches thick, skin-on or skinless)
  • * 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • * 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • * 4 garlic cloves sliced thin
  • * 1 small shallot finely diced
  • * 1 cup whole cherry tomatoes
  • * ¼ cup vegetable broth or fish broth white wine alternative
  • * Juice of ½ fresh lemon
  • * 1 small lemon sliced into rounds (for presentation)
  • * 4-5 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • * 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
  • * Fine sea salt to taste
  • * Coarsely cracked black pepper to taste
  • * Fresh thyme leaves for garnish

Method
 

Season the Salmon:
  1. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry using paper towels. Season all sides generously with sea salt and coarsely cracked black pepper. Set aside.
Infuse the Base:
  1. In a deep skillet or an oven-safe ceramic baking dish, melt the unsalted butter and extra virgin olive oil together over medium-low heat. Add the sliced garlic, diced shallots, thyme sprigs, and rosemary sprigs. Cook gently for 2–3 minutes until the aromatics are soft and highly fragrant, ensuring the garlic does not brown.
Blister the Tomatoes:
  1. Toss the whole cherry tomatoes into the aromatic butter mixture. Pour in the broth and fresh lemon juice. Simmer gently on the stovetop for 4–5 minutes until the tomato skins begin to soften and expand.
Nestle and Spoon:
  1. Move the tomatoes slightly to the sides of the dish. Nestle the seasoned salmon fillets directly into the liquid. Spoon a generous amount of the warm garlic butter sauce over the tops of the fillets.
Bake to Poach:
  1. Transfer the entire dish into an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 12–14 minutes. Halfway through the baking time, quickly baste the tops of the fish with the pan juices.
Final Touch & Rest:
  1. Remove from the oven when the salmon is opaque on the outside and flakes gently with a fork. Arrange the fresh lemon rounds around the fish, garnish with a handful of fresh thyme leaves, and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

* Do not let the butter boil aggressively on the stovetop; a gentle, shimmering heat yields the juiciest fish texture.
* Serve alongside crusty rustic bread or over a bed of fluffy quinoa to maximize enjoyment of the glossy pan sauce.