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Slow-Roasted Salmon in Parchment Paper

4.6

(9)

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Photo by Chelsie Craig

Here’s the one-sheet on cooking in parchment packets: The method creates moist, even heat, which is ideal for fish. It’s hands-off, and the parcels can be assembled ahead of time. If it’s new to you and sounds intimidating, reread the previous two sentences until confidence is instilled.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt
1 cup Castelvetrano olives, pitted, quartered
1/4 cup drained capers
1/4 cup raisins
6 tablespoons dark rum
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, patted dry
Freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro, divided, plus more for serving
Lime wedges (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 275°F. Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-low. Add onion, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring often and reducing heat if onion is browning too fast, until onion is golden brown, 25–30 minutes.

    Step 2

    Add olives, capers, raisins, and 2 Tbsp. water to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until olives are softened, about 4 minutes. Add rum and cook until liquid is evaporated, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and stir in lime juice and 1 Tbsp. water. If needed, add a splash or two more of water so mixture is saucy; season with salt.

    Step 3

    Season salmon with salt and pepper. Cut four large sheets of parchment paper. Working with 1 sheet, spoon one-quarter of sauce onto the center of paper; scatter 1 Tbsp. cilantro over. Create a well in the sauce the size of a salmon fillet and place fish in well; drizzle with oil. Gather edges of parchment up and over salmon and tie tightly closed with kitchen twine. Set on a rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining parchment paper, sauce, salmon, and 3 Tbsp. cilantro.

    Step 4

    Bake packets until salmon is cooked through, 20–22 minutes for medium (go 2 minutes longer for well-done). Remove from oven and let salmon steam in packets 2 minutes. Unwrap and top with more cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.

  2. Do Ahead

    Step 5

    Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Before using, add water to loosen if it looks tight.

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