Absolutely the go-to method for cooking skin on salmon. While we use various marinades, broiling salmon creates a beautiful crispy crust with an absolutely moist, cooked, fish.
Salmon (or Trout, they are pretty much interchangeable in the household), is always on rotation, once a week or at least every other week. It is quite amazing how well it goes over with the rugrats. Broiled Salmon with a nice side of rice and some steamed vegetables, is our comfort food.
So why Broiled? We’ve tried baked (too dry), Skillet fried (acceptable but not crispy on both sides and quite messy), and air fried (also quite dry). Broiled, and very specifically broiled on a searing hot cast iron allows you to get a beautiful crust on both sides of the salmon and results in a beautifully cooked interior. As an old colleague would say “Noice!”
As for the Seasoning, I’ve not included a specific recipe, partly because the boss refuses to actually write it down and mostly because no recipe for the seasoning would really be repeatable given wide variation in the taste profiles of the tandoori, strengths of thing such as ginger garlic paste etc. Just mix it up in a grinder to paste consistency and taste and adjust. And blame the boss.
Recipe :
Skin on Salmon or Trout (any amount), descaled
Seasoning (tandoori, ginger garlic paste, salt, oil, lemon/lime)
High temp oil (canola, grapeola etc)
Method :
– Cut the salmon into small fillets, then rub the seasoning on and let it sit for 15-20 minutes
– Cast iron pan in the broiler on top rack set on high for about 5-10 minutes.
– Take out the cast iron pan with two mittens
– Throw in a high temp oil like grapeola (enough to coat the bottom of the pan), put it back in the broiler for a minute or two.
– Take it out again, and lay the salmon on skin side down, it should sizze nicely.
– Set timer for 8 minutes, measure and add time if necessary.
– Should release without too much coaxing.
Yum. Reminds me I should go buy some more salmon. We usually serve with our perfect instant pot rice.
Happy Cooking and Happy Eating!