This salmon filet is marinated with dried figs and herbs for a sweet, savory meal the whole family will enjoy.
From chicken wings and pizza, to meatloaf and chili, parmigiana subs and cake, it’s fairly safe to say that I’ve been having my fair share of fun so far this year on Living the Gourmet – and let’s not forget the bubbly. While I have thoroughly enjoyed my recent focus on ‘home-style’ comfort food, I felt it was time to get to back to some more ‘serious’ bites, and to do so with something familiar and warming, but also multi-seasonal, as well as versatile.
Naturally, I’m talking about salmon.
Now, while pan searing salmon is all the rage, and is widely considered the ‘modern’ way of prepping this particular fish, I am honestly in love with the simplicity, uniformity, and relative predictability offered by oven baking. With a vastly reduced margin for error, this is actually a great way of prepping salmon for busy weeknights, where you might be distracted or tired, or just plain busy, while still offering all the flare and flavor needed for a weekend dinner party. This is also a great way to take advantage of marinating the fish, since you’ll be adding on a whole new layer of flavor complexity and texture control – which is precisely what we’re doing here today.
To start off, we begin with the marinade itself. Today, I’m opting for a sweet and spicy mixture that combines chopped figs and jalapenos, carried on a base of olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Add in the seasonings listed below, along with chopped garlic, scallions and cilantro, and you have a marinade that’s far more than just heat or savory herbal flavors.
Once the marinade is prepared, you’re going to want to cut small slits into the salmon filet about a quarter of an inch deep into the fish. You’ll want about three of these slits spaced evenly along the filet. Then, taking the marinade, fill the slices, and then pouring the remaining marinade over the top of the fish. Cover the dish in aluminum foil, and let the salmon marinate in the fridge for one to three hours. Not only will this allow the flavors to permeate through the flesh of the fish, but will also heighten the ‘juicy’ and ‘malleable’ texture that makes salmon such a delight to eat.
While the fish is marinating, preheat your oven to four-hundred and twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Then bake the salmon uncovered for about 16 – 18 minutes, and you’re done.
Fresh Fig & Herb Marinated Salmon
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. salmon filet
For the Marinade:
- About 6 scallions – sliced thin
- 3 garlic cloves – chopped fine
- 1 jalapeno – chopped fine – without seeds
- 6 dried figs – chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro – chopped fine – (without stems)
- 1 tsp. capers – chopped with 1 tsp. caper juice
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. ground coriander
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
- 4 tbs. olive oil
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients for the marinade in a medium sized bowl and toss.
- Place the salmon filet in a baking dish.
- Using a sharp knife, gently slice about three ¼ inch slices into the flesh of the salmon.
- Take the marinade and fill the slices and cover the top of the salmon with the marinade.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in the refrigerator for 1 – 3 hours.
- Preheat Oven 425 degrees F.
- Bake the salmon uncovered for 16 – 18 minutes or until the fish flakes nicely.
- The USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145°F, which should be measured at the thickest part of the fillet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
Enjoy with Love!
0
angiesrecipes says
I love that fruity herbal marinade. This is so yummy!
Catherine says
Thank you Angie.
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, Nice marinade providing a tasty change of pace to the ‘usual’ seasoned and baked salmon. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Catherine says
Thank you.
Windy says
Yum!!! I love Salmon and this looks so good and tasty.
Stacie says
That sounds so good! I can almost taste that rich, fruity flavor with the fish. Om nom nom.
Maggie Unzueta says
Hmmm yum! I am drooling. This looks soo delicious! I would love to cook this at home.
Chad says
I never had fresh figs with salmon, i am definitely gonna try it next week, i am drooling already. Thank you so much for the recipe.
Chad
http://www.mosaicslab.com
Catherine says
The title has been corrected, these were dried figs. Thank you for wanting to try my recipe. I hope you enjoy it and have a beautiful weekend.
Becca Talbot says
This recipe sounds amazing – and really easy to follow too! I will have to give it a whirl x
Catherine says
Thank you I hope you enjoy it.
Elaine says
I’ve never actually cooked with figs before, even though I really like eating them. This marinade looks delicious!
Catherine says
Thank you.
Kate says
Looks delicious! Thank you for sharing it. Please check out my blog, https://www.cookingwithbuttpowder.com I have a section on delicious gourmet cuisine that I think you might enjoy. Are you open to guest posting and collaborations?
Yeah Lifestyle says
This sounds absolutely incredible! I would never have thought to pair figs with salmon but can only imagine the taste is absolutely amazing! Might have to give it a try.
Catherine says
I hope you enjoy it if you decide to give it a try.
Elizabeth Weitz says
We are huge salmon fans over here in our house! The recipe with figs is genius!
Joanna says
I am intrigued by the sweet and spicy marinade. I am not cooking salmon that much because I am not really keen on how it tastes. However, with the right marinade I think the taste can change.
Catherine says
I hope that you enjoy it if you decide to give it a try.
John Mulindi says
You have some really great recipe collections on this site, this one looks delicious and simple to prepare. Thanks for sharing.
Catherine says
Thank you for your kind words. I hope you enjoy them if you decide to try any. Have a great weekend.
Nikki says
Salmon is one of my favorite fishes,because you can prepare it in many different ways! I love this recipe.
Preet says
Wow, I have never tried to this recipe looks really delicious and easy. I will try to make this for my kids, thanks for sharing!
twinspirational says
Wow this recipe looks so delicious. We love making fish dishes.
Kara Guppy says
Sounds like a delicious meal
matthew says
This looks yummy. I love Salmon, my doctor recommends i eat salmon at least twice monthly. Would love to try out this recipe.