Baked Salmon with Pesto Crust

This is one of my favorites. For serving when we have guests. And for eating. Elegant and so very, very simple. All you'll need is some salmon, dried bread crumbs, and pesto. OK, four, a little olive oil for the pan.

I buy pre-cut portions of salmon at Fred Meyer. They are uniform in weight, and in shape. (Important for baking time). I buy cheap packaged bread crumbs. The pesto will add the flavor. And I have pesto that I made and froze. The trip to the store is the most difficult part of this recipe!

Now the easy part. Mix the pesto and bread crumbs until a thick paste is formed. No measuring required. Just eyeball it. Then set the salmon portions on a working surface and blot them dry with a paper towel. This will allow the pesto crust to adhere better. Grab some of the crust mixture and work it onto the top surface of the salmon. As thick or as thin as you'd like. Just be even so cooking will be even as well. (See picture).


Place the crusted salmon portions in a baking dish that has been oiled and bake at 400 degrees for approximately 25 minutes. Let the fish rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven. Just do it.

Bon appétit!