Description
Mediterranean magic unfolds with stuffed salmon featuring creamy feta and tender spinach nestled in perfectly roasted salmon. Delicate flavors and elegant presentation promise a restaurant-quality meal you can easily create at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 6-ounce (170 grams) pieces of salmon
- 3 cups baby spinach, packed
- 5.3 ounces (150 grams) block of feta cheese
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked)
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (parmigiano-reggiano recommended)
- 1/4 cup jarred roasted red peppers, chopped into small 1/4-inch pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet. Create a lengthwise pocket in each salmon fillet by carefully slicing down the center, ensuring the bottom and ends remain connected.
- Drizzle olive oil over the salmon and season with salt and pepper. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté spinach with Italian seasoning, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper until wilted. If using frozen spinach, thoroughly drain excess moisture before cooking.
- Remove skillet from heat and incorporate roasted red peppers, feta, and parmesan. Gently mash the ingredients together to create a cohesive filling mixture, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
- Generously fill the salmon pockets with the spinach-feta mixture, pressing gently to distribute the filling evenly throughout the pocket.
- Transfer the stuffed salmon to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-17 minutes. Check for doneness at 12 minutes, looking for a flaky texture that remains moist. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon and personal preference for doneness.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting cayenne pepper, making the dish mild or spicy according to personal preference.
- Select fresh, high-quality salmon with bright color and firm texture to ensure optimal taste and presentation.
- Squeeze spinach thoroughly when using frozen to prevent excess moisture from making the filling soggy during baking.
- Replace feta with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast for lactose-intolerant or vegan diets without compromising flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg