Simple Cast Iron Salmon Food

BLACKENED SALMON

Steps:

• In a small bowl, add the paprika, cayenne, thyme and oregano and salt and mix to blend. Put the mixture on a plate or other flat surface and coat the portions of salmon, 1 at a time, on the flesh side only.
• Heat a large heavy-bottomed pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat, and add the oil. When the oil begins to smoke quite heavily shut the heat off under the pan. Add the salmon, 1 at a time, in a single layer, flesh side down, in the oil. Turn the heat back on under the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Use a spatula to turn the salmon to the other side. Cook the salmon over medium heat, until the skin becomes crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes.
• Arrange the salmon on a platter, sprinkle with lemon zest and lemon juice and serve immediately.

SIMPLE CAST IRON SALMON

Steps:

• Allow the fish to come to room temperature before pan frying.
• Pat the salmon dry and season all over with salt and pepper.
• Coat the cast iron skillet well in olive oil, then heat it to medium high. The oil should be shimmering before you add the fish.
• Place the salmon, skin side down and reduce heat to medium low. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and a squirt of lemon juice.
• Allow the fish to fry skin side down, undisturbed, until it becomes crispy (about 5 minutes for an inch thick filet). If you find the filets are buckling, you can press down on them firmly with a fish spatula.
• When the skin is crispy and the sides of the salmon filet turns from a translucent pink to opaque lighter colour from the bottom up to the top, flip the fish over and cook the rest of the way. The skin should release nicely from the pan at this point.
• Cook for another minute, until the salmon reaches medium rare (120 F) or medium (125 F to 130F) when a thermometer is inserted into the middle of the thickest part of the filet.

OVEN-ROASTED SALMON

Steps:

• Place a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet in a cold oven. Preheat oven to 450°. Meanwhile, brush salmon with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper., Carefully remove skillet from oven. Place fish, skin side down, in skillet. Return to oven; bake uncovered, until salmon flakes easily and a thermometer reads 125°, 14-18 minutes. Cut salmon into 4 equal portions.