Butter-Basted Salmon with Hazelnut Relish

A sophisticated dish featuring crispy-skinned salmon fillets topped with a fresh herb and hazelnut relish. The salmon is basted in butter and served with tender lettuce leaves, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

4 servings
23 min

Ingredients

  • ½ cup blanched hazelnuts
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • to taste Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 pieces skin-on salmon fillets
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 heads Little Gem lettuce
  • lettuce leaves

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 400°. Toast hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 6-8 minutes. Let cool.

    8 min

  2. 2.

    Pulse garlic, cilantro, parsley, capers, lemon zest, and 1/4 cup hazelnuts in a food processor until finely chopped. With machine running, gradually add olive oil; season relish with salt. Coarsely chop remaining hazelnuts.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Heat vegetable oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Season salmon with salt and cook, skin side down, until skin is crisp (do not disturb), about 4 minutes. Add butter and cook, basting constantly, 1 minute. Transfer to oven and roast salmon, basting once, until medium-rare (mostly opaque but still slightly translucent in the center), about 3 minutes.

    8 min

  4. 4.

    Serve salmon, skin side up, with lettuce, topped with relish and chopped hazelnuts.

    2 min

  5. 5.

    Do ahead: Relish can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill.