Creamy Garlic Tuscan Salmon

$To make this dish special, you need a few key items: - 4 salmon fillets - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup heavy cream - ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup fresh spinach - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste - Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish These ingredients blend together to create a rich, creamy sauce that pairs perfectly with the salmon. You can add a personal touch with optional garnishes. Here are a few ideas: - Lemon wedges for a fresh zing - Extra grated Parmesan for cheesy goodness - Red pepper flakes for a spicy kick These garnishes can take your dish to the next level! You might not have every item on hand. Here are some easy swaps: - Use butter instead of olive oil for a richer flavor. - Swap heavy cream with coconut cream for a dairy-free option. - Replace spinach with kale or arugula for a different green. These substitutions help you customize the dish to fit your pantry and taste! {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, place 4 salmon fillets in the skillet, skin-side down. Season them with salt and pepper. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side. You want the salmon to be golden and cooked through. Once done, remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add 4 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute. The garlic should smell nice and fragrant. Next, pour in ½ cup of chicken or vegetable broth. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Be sure to scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. This adds great flavor. Then, stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes and 1 cup of fresh spinach to the sauce. Stir them in until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes heat through. Now, return the salmon fillets back to the skillet. Spoon the creamy sauce over the salmon. Let it cook together for about a minute. Finally, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. This dish is ready to serve! To cook salmon well, start with fresh fillets. They should be bright and smell like the sea. Heat olive oil in your skillet. Place the salmon skin-side down. Sear it for about 4-5 minutes. This gives a nice crust. Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes. The salmon should be golden and just cooked through. Use a fork to check. It should flake easily. If you prefer it rare, reduce the cooking time by a minute or two. To boost flavor, add more garlic. Fresh herbs like thyme or oregano also work well. A squeeze of lemon juice adds brightness. You can also sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for heat. This dish shines with good Parmesan cheese. Don’t forget to garnish with fresh basil. It adds color and a nice aroma. One common mistake is overcooking the salmon. Keep an eye on it, as it cooks quickly. Another mistake is not seasoning enough. Salt and pepper are key for flavor. Avoid skipping the step of scraping the skillet. This adds depth to your sauce. Lastly, don’t rush the sauce. Let it simmer to thicken properly. This ensures a rich, creamy texture. Pro Tips Tip for Perfect Salmon: Ensure your salmon fillets are at room temperature before cooking to promote even cooking. Garlic Timing: Be careful not to burn the garlic when sautéing; it should be fragrant but not browned. Thickening the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer after adding the cream. Fresh Herbs for Garnish: Use fresh basil leaves for garnish to enhance the flavor and presentation of the dish. {{image_2}} You can swap salmon for chicken or shrimp. For chicken, use boneless breasts. Cook the chicken in the same way as the salmon. For shrimp, sauté them until pink and firm. The creamy sauce works well with both. To make this dish vegetarian, replace the salmon with tofu or chickpeas. Use firm tofu, cut into cubes. Sauté it until golden, then follow the same steps for the sauce. Chickpeas add protein and have a nice texture too. Incorporate seasonal veggies to add color and nutrients. Try asparagus, zucchini, or bell peppers. Just add them to the skillet after the garlic. Cook until they are tender, then mix in the sauce. This keeps your dish fresh and exciting. To store your leftovers, let the dish cool first. Place the salmon and sauce in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh for up to three days in the fridge. Make sure to separate the salmon from the sauce if you prefer. This helps maintain the fish’s texture. When you are ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them gently. Use a skillet on low heat to warm the salmon. Add a splash of broth or cream to keep it moist. You can also microwave it in short bursts, stirring often. This prevents the salmon from drying out. If you want to freeze this dish, do it before adding the spinach and tomatoes. These ingredients do not freeze well and can become mushy. Place the salmon and sauce in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for about three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Yes, you can use frozen salmon. Just thaw it first. Place the salmon in the fridge overnight to thaw. If you are short on time, place it in cold water for about 30 minutes. This will help keep the fish fresh and tasty. You can serve this salmon with many sides. Here are some great ideas: - Garlic mashed potatoes - Steamed broccoli - Rice or quinoa - A fresh garden salad - Crusty bread for dipping in sauce These sides will balance the flavors and make your meal complete. The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. You can use a food thermometer for this. If you don’t have one, check the color. The fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. If it still looks raw in the center, cook it a bit longer. This post covered how to make Creamy Garlic Tuscan Salmon. We discussed key ingredients and options for substitutions. I explained step-by-step instructions to cook salmon perfectly. Tips helped avoid common mistakes, making your dish even better. We explored variations like chicken and vegetarian options. Lastly, you learned how to store and reheat leftovers. Remember, cooking is about joy and exploration. Each meal can bring new ideas. Enjoy your time in the kitchen!$

A delicious and creamy salmon dish with garlic, spinach, and cherry tomatoes.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Ingredients

4 fillets salmon
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
0.5 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup fresh spinach
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
to taste salt and pepper
for garnish grated Parmesan cheese
for garnish fresh basil leaves

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, place the salmon fillets skin-side down. Season with salt and pepper and sear for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden and cooked through. Remove salmon from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping any browned bits from the skillet.
Stir in the heavy cream and Italian seasoning, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
Add halved cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach, stirring until the spinach is wilted and the tomatoes are heated through.
Return the salmon fillets back to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over them. Allow to cook together for a minute.
Remove from heat, garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.

Notes

Serve with pasta or crusty bread for a complete meal.

Keyword creamy, dinner, garlic, salmon, Tuscan