This tangy pomegranate glaze on roast salmon topped with quick pickled onions and a scoop of herb mayo is everything you want in a delicious seafood supper.
I have to say that I was so excited to cook this after I spotted it on the Dish, a beautiful food magazine in New Zealand. I love a delectable salmon meal over the holidays and this one with it’s diverse and complementary flavours is the perfect choice.
I didn’t have the pomegranate molasses you need for the glaze so I made my own. There is a great recipe from Alton Brown on the Food Network that works wonderfully. Now I have a whole jar of this amazing syrup and I can’t wait to find new ways to use it. I think I’ll try it on some chicken next!
There is only one word for the addition of herby mayo – sublime! The combination of all the flavours in this dish are truly inspired. I know I’m a little over the top on my love for this recipe but it’s truly one of the best salmon dishes I’ve had!
The recipe has lots of moving parts but is actually simple in it’s preparation. I love that it calls for brining the salmon to avoid the milky white fat from rising to the top. It didn’t completely disappear but it definitely made a difference.
I used red pearl onions because I wanted a milder flavour. My partner in crime said that he’d like to try caramelized onions instead of pickled and I know I would love some crispy deliciousness on top of the fish too. Next time!
This is an ideal meal anytime but I think it would be extra special on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
I’m taking some holiday time so I will see you again in the new year. Happy Holidays to everyone. Enjoy this precious time with family and friends!
Roast Salmon with Pomegranate Glaze
Print RecipeIngredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1½ tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, lightly crushed
- 2 tablespoons salt
- ½ cup boiling water
- 5½ cups cold water
- 1.5-kilogram (approx) side of salmon
- dill fronds, to garnish
- QUICK PICKLED RED ONION
- ⅓ cup cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon caster sugar
- 1 small red onion, finely sliced (U used milder pearl onions)
- HERBY YOGURT MAYO
- 1 cup natural Greek yoghurt
- ½ cup good-quality egg mayonnaise (I used Best Foods)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons roughly chopped capers, plus 1 tablespoon whole to garnish
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus a few fronds to garnish
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Salmon: Mix the olive oil with the garlic, pomegranate molasses and cumin seeds in a small bowl. Set aside.
Put the salt in a big roasting dish, deep enough to lay the salmon in, and with capacity for 6 cups of water. Add ½ cup boiling water to the salt and whisk to dissolve it. Top up with the 5½ cups of cold water and leave to cool.
Add the salmon, flesh side down, and leave in the brine for 30 minutes – this will help to prevent the milky white fat from rising to the top of the salmon while cooking.
Quick-pickled onion: Put the vinegar and sugar in a small non- reactive bowl and whisk to dissolve the sugar. Add the onion, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Herby yoghurt mayo: Mix the yoghurt, mayonnaise and lemon juice in a small bowl. Add the chopped capers, dill and mint, and season to taste. For a little extra drama, a drizzle of pomegranate molasses swirled through the mayo is also a tasty option. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Preheat the oven to 230°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper.
Remove the salmon from the brine and pat dry. Lay skin-side down on the baking paper. Brush the olive oil mixture over the salmon flesh. Bake for 10–15 minutes. I did 15 minutes for my 1.5-kilogram salmon piece, but if your salmon is smaller, stick to 12 minutes or less – you really don’t want to overcook it.
Once cooked, the salmon can be served immediately or refrigerated until half an hour before serving. When ready to serve, garnish with the dill and drained onion and serve with the herby yoghurt mayo, garnished with capers and dill fronds.
22 Comments
cheri
December 19, 2016 at 9:33 amHi Robyn, this is my ideal holiday meal for sure. Did not know that brining kept the fat from rising to the top, always learn something interesting from you. Happy holidays!!!
cheri recently posted…Cranberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake
Robyn
December 19, 2016 at 7:05 pmHiya Cheri,
I know you love salmon as much as I do! Isn’t that an interesting trick with the fat? Have a wonderful Christmas! You’ve been so busy you must be ready for a nice break 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Roast Salmon with Pomegranate Glaze
blair @ The Seasoned Mom
December 19, 2016 at 10:21 amMerry Christmas, Robyn! Have a wonderful holiday and a great break away from the blog for a few days. In the meantime, I’ll be dreaming of your salmon. 🙂 Love the flavor combination with the pickled onions!
Robyn
December 19, 2016 at 7:16 pmMerry Christmas, Blair! I hope you’re taking some time off too! I hope you try this dish sometime in the future. I loved the flavour combo!
Robyn recently posted…Roast Salmon with Pomegranate Glaze
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
December 19, 2016 at 11:20 amWhat a show stopper for Christmas ~ I’d take it any day over a ham or a turkey ~ great job Robyn!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland recently posted…Scandinavian Almond Bars
Robyn
December 19, 2016 at 7:18 pmI love turkey, Sue, but I’d definitely pick salmon over it any day. Just love the feeling you get from clean eating! Thanks so much for your kind words. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Robyn recently posted…Roast Salmon with Pomegranate Glaze
Chris Scheuer
December 19, 2016 at 2:59 pmThis looks amazing and so welcome after all the heavy, rich holiday food! Merry Christmas Robyn!
Robyn
December 19, 2016 at 7:19 pmThanks so much, Chris. I think I’ll be making this again for New Year’s. Merry Christmas to you, Chris!
Robyn recently posted…Roast Salmon with Pomegranate Glaze
Stephanie
December 19, 2016 at 3:43 pmMerry Christmas, sweet Robyn! Your salmon looks divine and I’m sure it tastes amazing 🙂
I hope you are well, dear friend….you have been in my thoughts. May you and yours have a most beautiful and blessed Christmas!
Love and hugs to you. Stephanie-The Enchanting Rose
Robyn
December 19, 2016 at 7:23 pmMerry Christmas to you, Stephanie! Thanks for your kind words.
I am great, thanks and you have been on my mind as well. I’ll be in touch soon. 🙂 Have a wonderful holiday with your family!
Robyn recently posted…Roast Salmon with Pomegranate Glaze
Velva
December 19, 2016 at 7:48 pmBeautiful. Pomegranates are in season and this is a great way to enjoy the season. Love this glaze.
Velva
Velva recently posted…Savoring the Season: Cranberry Lemon Muffins
Robyn
December 20, 2016 at 6:18 amThanks so much, Velva! I had never had pomeganate with salmon and it was a very tasty combo!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
December 20, 2016 at 9:49 amAbsolutely perfect! Love salmon and the pomegranate molasses, onion and mayo just takes this dish over the top. Beautiful 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers recently posted…Sticky Toffee Pudding Mug Cakes
Robyn
December 20, 2016 at 6:34 pmYou are too kind, Jennifer – thanks so much! I truly love my salmon and miss it so much when I had it fresh on the west coast. These flavours made me feel as though I was on the boat pulling in a fresh one again!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
December 20, 2016 at 4:54 pmThis meal gets me excited too Robyn! LOVE, love, love salmon and all these flavors. Is it snowing on your blog? Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me – haha. Enjoy your holiday time with friends and family. Hugs and best wishes!!!!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert recently posted…Holiday Jam
Robyn
December 20, 2016 at 6:32 pmLOL, Yes, it is snowing, Tricia! Every Christmas it magically snows on my blog. I don’t have a thing to do with it. It just happens – honestly, lol.
So glad you like this dish. I’m going to make it again soon. It really was fantastic!
Best wishes for a happy holiday to you and yours as well. A real pleasure to know you 🙂
Linda
December 20, 2016 at 8:33 pmInteresting tip Robyn. Love this idea and that salmon looks fantastic. What a lovely glaze. I near tire of eating salmon. Thanks for sharing the wonderful tip and recipe. Happy holidays sweet friend. Lots of love from W.W. Xo
Christine
December 22, 2016 at 9:11 amI’ve said it before and I will say it again. There needs to be one of those bank tunnels like at their drive thru’s….so I can send my credit card and it comes back to my house with THAT!
Thanks for joining the DI & DI Link Party. Merry Christmas!
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Angie Rose
January 8, 2017 at 6:47 pmThis looks absolutely delicious! I’m always hesitant to cook salmon, or fish in general but you make it look easy 🙂 That glaze looks so good. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Dishing It & Digging It & congratulations on being featured this week!
Angie Rose recently posted…Dishing It & Digging It {130}
R G
January 17, 2017 at 9:41 pmHmmm. For some reason it is only printing a blank page. Sad. I really want to try this.
Robyn
January 17, 2017 at 10:43 pmThanks or letting me know about this, RG. I’m using a new recipe plug-in that is clearly not working! You can always cut and paste it into a document and print it. I will get this fixed in the meanwhile. Check back in a couple of days 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Top 10 Sensational Salmon Dishes
All That I'm Eating
February 9, 2017 at 7:47 amThis looks amazing, what a lovely way to serve the salmon. With the pomegranate too, delicious!