Apple Baked Salmon with Maple Sage Butter

Recipe by Edible Sacramento

Serves 4

1 1/2 pounds Kvarøy Atlantic Salmon Fillet, whole or portioned into 6-ounce servings

1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt, plus more to taste

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon pepper medley, freshly ground

1/2 teaspoon allspice

2 cloves garlic, pressed

1 ounce walnuts, roughly chopped (about ¼ cup)

1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into large pieces

1/4 cup fresh sage leaves, washed, patted dry and roughly chopped

3 tablespoons maple syrup, at room temperature

2 apples, cored, halved, and very thinly sliced (pink lady recommended)

3 ounces brie, sliced into 12 pieces, chilled

1/2 lemon

DIRECTIONS
Place salmon, skin side down, in a buttered baking dish, evenly sprinkle on the salt. In small bowl, add mustard, pepper, allspice, and garlic then mix until combined. Evenly spread over top of salmon, place in refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes. 

Using bake setting, preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

While salmon marinates, in a medium skillet and on medium heat, toast walnuts until just browned and fragrant. Set aside on a plate. Remove pan from heat, let cool for 1 to 2 minutes then wipe with paper towel to remove any nut residual. 

Adjust temp to medium-low, add butter to same pan. When butter begins to foam, add sage leaves. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until foam subsides and butter starts turning brown. Remove from heat. With slotted spoon to let butter drain out, transfer crisped sage leaves to plate containing walnuts. 

Add maple syrup to the browned butter and mix. Place and separate the apple slices in the pan, toss with sauce to coat, add pinch of salt to taste. Set aside in pan, allowing residual heat to slightly soften the apple slices. Let cool for 5 minutes.

Remove salmon from refrigerator. Layer the apple slices over the salmon, covering entirely. On middle rack, cook salmon for 15 to 20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 130 degrees F. Note: Cook time varies by thickness; figure about 8 to 10 minutes per inch of fish. 

When done, remove fish from oven. Adjust oven settings to broil at 500 degrees F. Spread cold brie evenly over salmon, sprinkle on the toasted walnuts, drizzle on half the maple sage butter sauce, return to oven on upper rack. Watching carefully not to burn, broil for about 1 to 2 minutes until cheese begins to melt. Remove from oven. Garnish with sage leaves and remaining sauce. Squeeze juice from lemon over the top and add salt to taste. Serve hot, in baking dish or plate as desired. Recommend eating with a hearty grain — farro or barley. Enjoy.