Pepita-Crusted Salmon

Pepita-Crusted Salmon

🥘 Ingredients

  • butter
    3 tbsp
  • cooking oil
    2 tsp
  • dijon mustard
    4 tsp
  • dried oregano
    2 tsp
  • feta cheese
    1 c
  • garlic
    2 clove
  • grape tomatoes
    8 oz
  • harissa powder
    1 tbsp
  • lemon
    2 unit
  • mayonnaise
    1/2 c
  • mixed greens
    4 oz
  • olive oil
    3.667 tbsp
  • panko breadcrumbs
    ½ cup
  • paper towels
  • pepitas
    1 oz
  • pepper
  • red pepper jam
    2 unit
  • salmon
    20 oz
  • salt
  • sugar
  • sweet potatoes
    4 unit
  • water

🍳 Cookware

  • baking sheet
  • medium bowl
  • small bowl
  • small bowl
  • large bowl
  1. 1
    Adjust rack to top position (top and middle positions for 4 servings) and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wash and dry produce. Slice sweet potatoes into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Peel and mince or grate garlic . Finely chop pepitas (or crush in their bag with a heavy-bottomed pan or rolling pin). Quarter lemon .
    sweet potatoes: 4 unit, garlic: 2 clove, pepitas: 1 oz, lemon: 2 unit
  2. 2
    Toss sweet potatoes on a lightly oiled baking sheet with a large drizzle of olive oil , half the dried oregano , ½ tsp harissa powder (¾ tsp for 4 servings) (or more if you want an extra kick!), and a big pinch of salt and pepper . Roast on top rack for ⏱️ 12 minutes (you’ll add more to the sheet then).
    olive oil: 3.667 tbsp, dried oregano: 2 tsp, harissa powder: 1 tbsp, salt, pepper
  3. 3
    While sweet potatoes roast, place garlic and 1½ TBSP butter (3 TBSP for 4 servings) in a medium bowl . Microwave until butter is melted, ⏱️ 45 seconds (30-45 seconds). Let cool slightly, then stir in pepitas, remaining oregano, 3 TBSP panko breadcrumbs (6 TBSP for 4), and a pinch of salt and pepper. In a small bowl , combine mayonnaise , half the red pepper jam , ¼ tsp harissa powder (½ tsp for 4), and a squeeze of lemon juice. (Taste and add more harissa if you like.) If needed, add water 1 tsp at a time until mixture reaches drizzling consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
    butter: 3 tbsp, panko breadcrumbs: ½ cup, mayonnaise: 1/2 c, red pepper jam: 2 unit, water
  4. 4
    Pat salmon dry with paper towels and season all over with salt and pepper. Drizzle skin sides with cooking oil ; rub to coat. Once sweet potatoes have roasted 12 minutes, remove sheet from oven. Carefully push sweet potatoes to one side of sheet; place salmon, skin sides down, on empty side. (For 4 servings, transfer sweet potatoes to middle rack; add salmon to a second sheet and roast on top rack.) Evenly spread tops of salmon with a thin layer of dijon mustard ; sprinkle with a pinch of sugar and mound with pepita mixture, pressing firmly to adhere. Roast on top rack until crust is golden brown and salmon is cooked through, ⏱️ 12 minutes (10-12 minutes).
    salmon: 20 oz, paper towels, cooking oil: 2 tsp, dijon mustard: 4 tsp, sugar
  5. 5
    Meanwhile, in a second small bowl , whisk together remaining jam, 1½ TBSP olive oil (3 TBSP for 4 servings), juice from one lemon wedge (two wedges for 4), and a pinch of salt and pepper. TIP: For a tangier dressing, add another squeeze of lemon juice. Halve grape tomatoes lengthwise. In a large bowl , toss mixed greens , feta cheese , and tomatoes with as much dressing as you like. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
    grape tomatoes: 8 oz, mixed greens: 4 oz, feta cheese: 1 c
  6. 6
    Divide salmon, sweet potatoes, and salad between plates. Drizzle salmon with as much sauce as you like. Serve with remaining lemon wedges and any remaining sauce on the side. **Salmon is fully cooked when internal temperature reaches 145 degrees.**