Honey Caramelized Salmon

Honey caramelized salmon is a delightful dish that combines the sweetness of honey with the richness of salmon. Here’s how to prepare it with an Italian twist, perhaps using acacia or chestnut honey for an even more charming note.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (about 150-200 g each)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 tablespoons of honey
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• 1 teaspoon of chili flakes (optional)
• Chopped chives for garnish (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C (392 °F).
2. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper and place them in a baking dish lined with parchment paper.
3. In a small bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, and chili flakes.
4. Pour the mixture over the salmon fillets, trying to cover them evenly.
5. Bake the salmon fillets and let them caramelize for about 10-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the surface has a nice golden color.
6. While the salmon is baking, take the opportunity to reduce the remaining honey and soy mixture in a small pan until it becomes a thicker sauce to use as a garnish.
7. Remove the salmon from the oven, let it rest for a couple of minutes.
8. Garnish the caramelized salmon with the reduced sauce, sprinkling with chopped chives if desired.

Trivia

Salmon is one of the most loved fish in Italy, even though it does not come from our waters. It is rich in Omega-3 and proteins, and its firm flesh lends itself beautifully to brief and intense cooking methods such as caramelization. Combining salmon with honey is not common in Italian culinary tradition, but it is an example of how Italian cuisine is open to international influences and new interpretations of classic ingredients.