How to Bake Salmon

Do you want to learn how to bake salmon? Salmon, regularly praised for its richness in heart-friendly omega 3's, can be cooked in several ways and can be easily cooked at home in your oven.http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/popular-ingredients/20-salmon-dishes-10000001174488/index.html While baking salmon takes longer than other methods of cooking this fish, many enjoy baked salmon for the taste and the texture baking provides.http://seafood.lifetips.com/cat/59248/salmon/index.html

To prepare the baked salmon, you will need little besides the salmon itself, a baking dish, and whatever flavors you hope to impart to the fish. Simple is often best; a little lemon and olive oil can be enough, or you can add an array of spices and marinades.

Keep reading to learn the variety of ways to prepare salmon for baking and to learn just how easy and quick it can be to bake salmon.

1. Gather all ingredients and utensils you will need.
2. Consult your recipe to determine the proper temperature for your oven, but to be on the safe side, remain closer to 350 so you don't overcook the salmon.
3. You'll also want to line an oven-safe baking sheet with aluminum foil to cook the fish on; this will make for easy clean-up later!
4. Remember to keep salmon in the refrigerator until you're ready for it.http://www.alakemichigancharter.com/html/recipes.html

• There are myriad ways to prepare fish before baking, and some can be done several hours ahead of time.

1. Rubs: A salmon fillet can be patted down with dry herbs and seasonings like paprika, sea salt or chili powder before baking.http://food.realsimple.com/realsimple/display/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=659320
2. Glazes: Another salmon baking option is a glaze, which can be drizzled over the fish prior to baking. A glaze can also be achieved by baking a sweet fruit like a pineapple on top of the fish; the juices coating the fish during baking.http://food.realsimple.com/realsimple/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1132429
3. Marinades: You can marinade a salmon fillet overnight in a store-bought mix or a combination of such ingredients as olive oil, white wine, lemon juice, soy sauce, brown sugar and ginger among others.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-recipes/NU00462

• The main event—you're almost done!

1. Put your baking sheet with your fish into the oven. Check your recipe to see if the fish should be closer or farther from the heat source.
2. Bake the fish until the fillet is opaque throughout.http://www.alakemichigancharter.com/html/recipes.html
3. How long you bake the fish will depend on the thickness of your fillets. Generally, it will take 4-6 minutes per half inch of thickness to cook a fresh or thawed salmon fillet.http://www.alakemichigancharter.com/html/recipes.html
4. Salmon will keep cooking even after you remove it from the oven, so take care to remove it at the right time to avoid overcooking your fish.http://www.alakemichigancharter.com/html/recipes.html

• You want your salmon to be medium-rare, firm but still extremely tender inside. The best way to know if your salmon is done is to know what to look for.

1. Look for the fish to be opaque throughout the fillet by checking the thickest part of the fillet.http://www.alakemichigancharter.com/html/recipes.html
2. Salmon that is done will easily flake when separated with a fork.http://www.fishex.com/recipes/salmon/salmon-cooking-tips.html
3. To avoid overcooking, remain close to your oven. Remove fish promptly when your timer goes off.
4. If it looks almost or just barely done (just barely pink all the way through), you've timed things perfectly, as it will finish cooking outside the oven.http://www.alakemichigancharter.com/html/recipes.html