Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Caper Sauce

Name: Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Caper Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounce salmon fillets (cut into 2 portions); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt; 4 tablespoon butter; 2 tablespoon capers (drained); 2 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed); 1 cup instant mashed potato flakes; 8 ounce fresh asparagus (trimmed); 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Crispy pan-seared salmon fillets topped with a briny, buttery lemon-caper sauce, served alongside quickly prepared mashed potatoes and tender asparagus.

Prep: 5 min
Cook: 15 min
Total: 20 min
Servings: 2
Cuisine: American
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $5.75/serving

Dietary

Nut-Free
Soy-Free
Egg-Free
Pescatarian
Low-Sugar
High-Protein

Ingredients

8 ounce salmon fillets (cut into 2 portions)
1 tablespoon olive oil
0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon capers (drained)
2 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 cup instant mashed potato flakes
8 ounce fresh asparagus (trimmed)
0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Prepare the instant mashed potato flakes according to package directions (this takes about 5 minutes) and keep warm.
Season the salmon fillets with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Place the salmon in the skillet skin-side down (if applicable) and sear for 4-5 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove salmon and set aside.
While salmon rests, steam or sauté the trimmed fresh asparagus until tender-crisp, about 4 minutes. Season with remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Reduce heat to low. Add 4 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons capers, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice to the empty skillet. Stir until butter is melted and slightly emulsified, about 1 minute.
Spoon the lemon caper sauce over the salmon. Serve the salmon with the instant mashed potato flakes and asparagus on the side.

Notes

Do not skip the capers, as they provide essential salty/briny flavor that elevates the sauce. The instant potatoes are a great, speedy complex carbohydrate choice.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 574
Protein: 25.5 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fat: 37 g
Fiber: 4.3 g
Sodium: 875 mg
Saturated Fat: 16.8 g
Sugar: 2 g
Cholesterol: 115 mg