Parmesan-Crusted Salmon Caesar Salad

Published Sept. 11, 2024

Parmesan-Crusted Salmon Caesar Salad
Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell.
Total Time
40 minutes
Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Rating
5(1,236)
Comments
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This fast weeknight recipe uses your favorite store-bought mayonnaise and bottled fish sauce in an easy Caesar dressing. And then, in an even more resourceful move, it uses that same dressing to coat salmon fillets, to help prevent overcooking, and to adhere a Parmesan crust. As the fillets broil, the layer of cheese bubbles and caramelizes to form a crispy, salty coating, a texture that only enhances the crisp lettuce. (For a vegetarian version, you can also use this method on avocado halves.)

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 1small baguette
  • 2teaspoons garlic powder 
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper 
  • 2tablespoons olive oil or melted butter 
  • ¾cup mayonnaise 
  • 2tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2teaspoons coarse-ground Dijon mustard 
  • 2teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2teaspoons fish sauce 
  • ½cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more as needed 
  • 4(3- to 4-ounce) skinless salmon fillets
  • 1large head romaine lettuce (about 1 pound), quartered through the center and chopped into bite-size pieces 
  • ½small red onion, halved and thinly sliced 
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

829 calories; 60 grams fat; 12 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 19 grams monounsaturated fat; 25 grams polyunsaturated fat; 37 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 35 grams protein; 1177 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees and arrange a rack 8 inches from the top broiler.

  2. Step 2

    Tear the bread into rough 1-inch chunks and add them to a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, season with salt and a good amount of pepper, and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss everything to coat, then spread bread evenly on the pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until bread is golden brown on the outside but still slightly chewy in the center. Remove the croutons from the oven, dump them into a large bowl, and wipe the crumbs from the sheet pan.

  3. Step 3

    Turn on the broiler. To a medium bowl, add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, fish sauce, the remaining 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon pepper, and whisk to combine, adjusting the seasoning, if desired. Remove ¼ cup dressing, and place it in a small mixing bowl along with ¼ cup grated Parmesan. Mix to combine.

  4. Step 4

    Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Using a pastry brush, liberally coat the fillets all over with the reserved Parmesan dressing. Place on the baking sheet, top fillets with the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan, and place under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the salmon is browned on the surface and cooked through. If it starts to smoke, move the pan to a lower rack to finish cooking.

  5. Step 5

    Remove the salmon from the oven, and allow a few minutes to cool slightly.

  6. Step 6

    To a large bowl, add the lettuce, croutons and sliced onion. Drizzle in some of the dressing, and using tongs, toss to evenly coat the leaves. Divide across salad bowls and sprinkle with more Parmesan. Top each salad with a fillet and serve.

Ratings

5 out of 5
1,236 user ratings
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Comments

This was a big hit at my house. I baked the salmon at 400 degrees for 12 minutes instead of broiling. Next time I will reduce the mayo to 1/2 cup.

@Lee I use Red Boat 40° North fish sauce. It’s recommended by bon appétit because it is simply anchovies and salt with no sugar or other additives.

@Kris I use a temperature probe and cook salmon to 125 degrees, not to time. Fish thickness varies too much to make time useful.

In step 2, why on Earth would one start by putting the chunks of bread on a baking sheet before tossing them with the seasonings? Why not put the bread and seasonings in a mixing bowl, tossing them together, and THEN scattering the seasoned break on a baking sheet? I don't get it.

Super easy and delicious. Only uses a sheet pan, cutting board and a couple bowls. Cut up a gf hot dog bun and tossed it with grated garlic and salt. Did half mayo and half Greek yogurt and anchovy paste instead of fish sauce because I so rarely find the opportunity for anchovy paste. Only regret is I wish I would have let the salmon cool off a bit more. I think it will be better tomorrow when it’s chilled.

I was confused which dressing (reserve) to use on salmon when it baked & it sounded like a lot of mayo (I'm not a fan) but it worked. Croutons are double "garlicked," Drizzling it all after the salmon is done is delicious. We are fans of fish sauce from all the Asian recipes so it was good. Did forget the purple onion and think that would have been nice. Will work on this...salmon was not cooked, then it was, I even used my thermometer and did cook it on bake at 400 then broiled to crisp up.

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