I was snuggled in bed the other night, way past my
bedtime, watching, as I love to do, reruns of Nigella Bites. I love Nigella. If you don’t, that’s fine, just please
indulge me. Yes, yes, and yes…like the
vast multitude I have long fallen for her turn of phrase, the way she makes
eating and cooking so sensual (which it should be! It is about the senses after all), that
accent, the way she touches her food and eats with such gusto, that gorgeous
mug of hers, and those butter-loving curves that brazenly and blissfully defy
every magazine cover out there. I have
long believed food was about pleasure and Nigella seems to embody that idea to
perfection.
bedtime, watching, as I love to do, reruns of Nigella Bites. I love Nigella. If you don’t, that’s fine, just please
indulge me. Yes, yes, and yes…like the
vast multitude I have long fallen for her turn of phrase, the way she makes
eating and cooking so sensual (which it should be! It is about the senses after all), that
accent, the way she touches her food and eats with such gusto, that gorgeous
mug of hers, and those butter-loving curves that brazenly and blissfully defy
every magazine cover out there. I have
long believed food was about pleasure and Nigella seems to embody that idea to
perfection.
So, there I was, totally enraptured, and there she
was, taking about “trashy food”. Now, by
trashy, she did not at all mean bad food.
Simply kitschy but fully satisfying food that may be declared as déclassé
by some, although enjoyed in secret by most.
Like fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
was, taking about “trashy food”. Now, by
trashy, she did not at all mean bad food.
Simply kitschy but fully satisfying food that may be declared as déclassé
by some, although enjoyed in secret by most.
Like fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
When I think of food that fall under this category, I
always think of things cooked with mayonnaise.
Mayonnaise seems to have gotten a bad rap nowadays. An unhealthy, tacky, throwback kind of food. I, however, unashamedly love it. And food cooked with it, especially the baked
fish sort, never fail to make me feel content and comforted.
always think of things cooked with mayonnaise.
Mayonnaise seems to have gotten a bad rap nowadays. An unhealthy, tacky, throwback kind of food. I, however, unashamedly love it. And food cooked with it, especially the baked
fish sort, never fail to make me feel content and comforted.
Baked Salmon with Mayonnaise and Dill
- 2 250-gram salmon fillets
- Olive oil
- 1 onion, peeled and sliced
- 1 bunch of fresh dill
- 1 lemon
- 4-5 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
– Chop enough of the dill leaves to make 2 tablespoons
and set aside. Zest the lemon and set
the lemon zest aside.
and set aside. Zest the lemon and set
the lemon zest aside.
– In the bottom of a baking dish that will fit both
salmon fillets, spread the sliced onions.
Drizzle the onions with some olive oil, and then season with salt and
pepper. Lay the rest of your whole dill
fronds on top of your onions. Slice 4
slices from the middle of the lemon and lay on top of the dill. Set the rest of the lemon aside to serve
alongside the salmon. Lay the salmon
fillets on top of the lemon. Season the
fillets with salt and pepper.
salmon fillets, spread the sliced onions.
Drizzle the onions with some olive oil, and then season with salt and
pepper. Lay the rest of your whole dill
fronds on top of your onions. Slice 4
slices from the middle of the lemon and lay on top of the dill. Set the rest of the lemon aside to serve
alongside the salmon. Lay the salmon
fillets on top of the lemon. Season the
fillets with salt and pepper.
– In a bowl mix the mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons chopped
dill, and lemon zest. Season very
lightly with salt and pepper.
dill, and lemon zest. Season very
lightly with salt and pepper.
– Spread the dill mayonnaise evenly on top of the fillets. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
– Bake the salmon in a pre-heated 350F oven for about
20-25 minutes. The salmon can be
slightly rare in the middle unless you are serving this to very small children
or pregnant women (although that would depend on the kid or the woman!). You know the fish is done when it flakes
easily when pierced with a small knife.
20-25 minutes. The salmon can be
slightly rare in the middle unless you are serving this to very small children
or pregnant women (although that would depend on the kid or the woman!). You know the fish is done when it flakes
easily when pierced with a small knife.
– Serve with your remaining lemon sliced into quarters.
This is a dish that I have made in one version or
another, that I cannot imagine life without.
I’ll even make a solo portion if the craving comes along (simply reduce
to 1 fillet and half all the ingredients).
The pairing of salmon and dill (and lemon) is known far and wide,
covered in a generous blanket of mayonnaise and crowned with an equally
generous grating of Parmesan cheese it is the perfect combination of fresh
flavors and campy wickedness.
another, that I cannot imagine life without.
I’ll even make a solo portion if the craving comes along (simply reduce
to 1 fillet and half all the ingredients).
The pairing of salmon and dill (and lemon) is known far and wide,
covered in a generous blanket of mayonnaise and crowned with an equally
generous grating of Parmesan cheese it is the perfect combination of fresh
flavors and campy wickedness.
If you have any leftovers (and I admit to sometimes
making sure I do!) you can flake everything up (including any of the softened
onions), mix, and use it as an amazing sandwich spread.
making sure I do!) you can flake everything up (including any of the softened
onions), mix, and use it as an amazing sandwich spread.
Hope you are having a great weekend filled with comforting treats and guilty pleasures!
Simple, but really delicious! A combination that works really well.
Cheers,
Rosa
I loooooooveeee mayonnaise! Especially Japanese "Kewpie" mayonnaise. Major major indulgence! I can finish a bottle all by myself 🙂
Naysayers can say all they want. Mayonnaise = <3
(Especially Kewpie)
Oh! How delicious sounding! I will have to try this. Thank you!
Nice. I make a similar dish where I mix minced garlic and feta cheese in the mayonnaise. I top it with panko crumbs for a crunchy crust. Very yummy too.
Thanks Rosa! I agree…love this combination! 🙂
Hi Didi! Oh yes! Kewpie rocks! 🙂
Hi Kaoko! Another Kewpie lover…yay!! It is truly <3!
Hi Paz! Hope you like it! 🙂
Hi Mieke! That sounds fantastic…will try it too!
Oh man, this sounds like the perfect dinner! Super easy and tasty and full of bright dill flavor. 🙂 I personally am not in the mayo camp, but still. I would try this in a heartbeat!
Mayonnaise + fish (ANY kind of fish)= pure, glorious YUM.
Everyone seems to like mayo for breakfast. I can't get my head around it.
Actually this sounds really delicious except for the mayonnaise part. Is there something I could use as a substitute?
Hi Eileen! You could lessen the amount of mayo as well if you are not a fan 🙂
Hi Midge! I agree!!
Hi Michael! Hmmm, haven't tried anything else but maybe you could try sour cream? Or a mix of sour cream and cream cheese? Wouldn't be the same but still good I think! 🙂
I'm not a big mayo fan, in fact, I didn't even taste it or cook with it until I met my husband! Cold mayo (esp. in salads) makes me cringe, but if you put it into "good use" like on top of this salmon…well, hello! I've made this "trashy" dish before (via Nigella also), and I secretly loved it!
I've made this so many times and it's always a hit! Perfection!!! Thank you