Walnut-Crusted Salmon

This one felt fancy tonight. It was so freakin' delicious though. And, the best part, I didn't overcook the salmon. 

Only thing I didn't do is I didn't add oregano to the panko mixture. I'm not a huge fan of oregano and I didn't want it to ruin the fish for me. Other than that, I followed the recipe for a change. 

Oh, actually, I take that back. I did change one small thing. I used chicken stock instead of water in the rice. I prefer that to plain water when the rice isn't going to get any other sauce on it. It added a nice flavor and the savory to it. 

Walnut-Crusted Salmon with Garlicky Asparagus, Scallion Rice & Creamy Lemon Sauce
Recipe from Hello Fresh
Serves 2

• 6 ounce Asparagus
• 2 tablespoon Yogurt
• ½ ounce Walnuts
• 2 Scallions
• 1 clove Garlic
• 1.5 tablespoon Sour Cream 
• 10 ounce Salmon 
• ¼ cup Panko Breadcrumbs 
• ¾ cup Jasmine Rice
• 1 Lemon
• 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano

Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens.

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add scallion whites and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Stir in rice, 1 1⁄4 cups water, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until rice is tender, 15-18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.

While rice cooks, finely chop walnuts or crush in their bag with a heavy-bottomed pan or rolling pin.

Zest and quarter lemon.

Heat a large drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add panko, walnuts, and 1⁄4 tsp oregano.

Toast, stirring, until golden and fragrant, 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat; transfer walnut mixture to a small bowl. Season with 1⁄4 tsp salt (1⁄2 tsp for 4) and pepper. Wipe out pan.

In a second small bowl, combine yogurt, sour cream, half the lemon zest, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Add water 1 tsp at a time until mixture reaches a drizzling consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

Pat salmon dry with paper towels; season all over with salt and pepper. Place, skin sides down, on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Top each piece of salmon with 1 tsp sauce (save remaining sauce for serving); spread to coat evenly. Mound tops with walnut mixture, pressing to adhere (no need to coat the undersides). Roast on top rack until salmon is opaque and cooked through, 8-10 minutes.

While salmon roasts, trim and discard woody bottom ends from asparagus. Peel and mince or grate garlic. Heat a large drizzle of oil in pan used for walnuts over medium-high heat. Add asparagus, season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until lightly browned and tender, 2-4 minutes. Add garlic and 1⁄4 tsp oregano. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1-2 minutes more. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.

Fluff rice with a fork; stir in half the scallion greens, remaining lemon zest, and a drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Divide salmon, asparagus, and rice between plates. Drizzle remaining sauce over salmon and sprinkle with remaining scallion greens. Serve with remaining lemon wedges on the side.