Salmon Fillets Canadiana

Recipe works well with either pink or red salmon fillets. Recipe developed by myself while experimenting with combinations of liquid flavours and herbs. My preference is fillets rather than salmon steaks; however, both cuts of salmon work well in this recipe. Preparation time does not include marinating time. Ingredient variations include: ginger, cilantro, chopped parsley, teriyaki sauce, balsamic vinegar

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4  salmon fillets, skin on one side
• 1⁄4 cup dry white wine (will not work as well with red wine)
• 1⁄4 cup  pure dark maple syrup (dark maple syrup has a better flavour)
• 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1⁄2  lemon, juice of
• 1⁄2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1⁄4 teaspoon oregano
• 1⁄4 teaspoon thyme
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dill
• 1  teaspoon  crushed garlic
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 4  slices lemons, thin

Directions

1. Wash salmon fillets well.
2. Pat dry and place in a shallow bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together, white wine, maple syrup, lemon juice and dijon mustard.
4. Add oregano, thyme, dill, garlic and mix well with the liquid ingredients.
5. Pour mixture over fillets; cover and let it marinate in the refigerator for about one hour.
6. In your covered pan, combine butter and olive oil and heat well.
7. Do not allow to get too hot, you don't want to burn the salmon during the browning process.
8. Place salmon fillets, flesh side down in the pan; RESERVE THE LIQUID and set aside.
9. Cover pan and let fillets brown for about 5 minutes.
10. Turn salmon fillets over to skin side down.
11. Cover pan and let brown, again for about 5 minutes.
12. Pour reserved marinade into the pan over salmon.
13. Cover pan and allow to continue cooking until the liquid starts to bubble.
14. Place slices of lemon on the salmon; leave fish skin side down in the pan.
15. Turn heat down to medium; cover pan and continue cooking until salmon flakes easily.
16. Depending on thickness of fillets, this final stage will take approximately 10 minutes; more time for thicker fillets.
17. Remove fillets from pan with a wide spatula and transfer to plates; cover to keep warm.
18. (NOTE: The skin can be easily removed prior to serving by inserting the wide spatula between the flesh and skin).
19. Turn up heat under pan.
20. Allow liquid to reduce until almost caramel.
21. Remove from heat and spoon juices over the salmon fillets.
22. Serve with crusty, multi-grain rolls, salad and/or your favourite vegetables.
23. (NOTE: Heat varies between stoves. Judge and adjust settings according to your own equipment).