Get ready to have your taste buds do a happy dance with my favorite way to elevate dinner: salmon wrapped in puff pastry. This is where flaky pastry meets melt-in-your-mouth salmon, all under a cozy blanket of cream cheese, lemon, and basil goodness. Trust me, you’re going to want this recipe in your culinary repertoire!
I love devising dishes that are both tasty and good for you, and these Lemon Basil Salmon Rolls are a prime example. They are constructed with fresh salmon fillets and combined with the zesty essence of lemons, the bright flavor of basil, and creamy cheese.
All of that is encased in golden puff pastry. My, oh my!
is this a meal that smells good.
Ingredients
- Fresh Salmon Fillets: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, supports heart health and brain function.
- Lemon Zest: Adds bright flavor, high in vitamin C, enhances dishes with citrus notes.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits, adds aromatic freshness.
- Garlic: Contains allicin, known for antibacterial properties, enhances savory flavors.
- Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess, provides calcium, balances flavors with mild tanginess.
- Puff Pastry Sheets: Layered dough, adds crispy texture, encases fillings for a flaky finish.
- Olive Oil: Heart-healthy fats, enhances flavors, contributes a rich, smooth taste.
Ingredient Quantities
– Fresh salmon fillets: 1 pound, skinless
– Lemon zest: 1 tablespoon
– Fresh basil leaves: 1/2 cup, finely chopped
– Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
– Cream cheese: 4 ounces, softened
– Puff pastry sheets: 2, thawed
– Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
– Salt: 1 teaspoon
– Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
– Egg: 1, beaten (for egg wash)
– Lemon wedges: for serving (optional)
How to Make this
1. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, blend together the cream cheese, lemon zest, chopped basil, and garlic. Beat until smooth and fully incorporated.
3. Add salt and black pepper to the salmon fillets. Do this on both sides.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets and cut each into even squares large enough to enclose the salmon.
5. Apply a thick layer of the cream cheese mixture to every square of puff pastry.
6. Position a salmon fillet atop the cream cheese layer. Fold the puff pastry edges over the salmon to enclose it, pinching the edges to seal.
7. Coat the tops of the pastries with the beaten egg so that they will bake to a golden brown.
8. Position the salmon rolls on the baking sheet, prepared as per Step 1, seam side down. To achieve a bit of extra crispness, instead of brushing with melted butter, as instructed in the earlier steps, use olive oil.
9. Place in a preheated oven set at 375 degrees F, and allow to bake for 18 to 20 minutes. The finished product should look golden brown and puffed.
10. Warm the salmon rolls and serve them with lemon wedges, if desired, on the side.
Equipment Needed
1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Medium mixing bowl
5. Mixing spoon or spatula
6. Zester or grater (for lemon zest)
7. Knife (for chopping basil and garlic)
8. Cutting board
9. Measuring spoons
10. Rolling pin
11. Flour (for dusting surface)
12. Pastry brush (for egg wash and olive oil)
13. Fork or whisk (for beating egg)
14. Tongs or spatula (for handling salmon)
15. Serving plate or platter (for serving)
FAQ
- Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?Indeed, but ensure that it is thawed completely and patted dry prior to use in order to avert moisture in excess.
- What can I use instead of puff pastry sheets?A lighter alternative can be phyllo dough; however, be sure to brush it well with olive oil or melted butter so that it maintains its texture.
- How do I know when the salmon is cooked?The salmon must be opaque and should crumble easily when prodded with a fork. Ts internal temperature must reach 145°F (63°C).
- Can I prepare the rolls in advance?Indeed, the rolls can be put together several hours beforehand and kept in the refrigerator. For optimal results, bake them just prior to serving.
- Is there a substitute for cream cheese?A substitution can be made by using ricotta or mascarpone, though these may affect the texture a bit.
- Do I have to use fresh basil?The best flavor comes from fresh basil; however, if that’s not available, dried basil can be used in its place—about a tablespoon.
Lemon Basil Salmon Rolls Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Chilled fillets of wild salmon: For taste and texture similar to wild Alaska salmon, use skinless fillets of trout or steelhead. They are very healthy substitutes.
Basil in fresh form: Substitute it with fresh sea fennel or sea parsley for a different yet complementary flavor.
Mascarpone cheese or ricotta cheese can be used for a creamy texture in place of cream cheese.
Puff pastry sheets: Replace with phyllo dough, but be aware that the texture will shift from flaky to crisp.
Olive oil. Replace it with melted butter or avocado oil.
Pro Tips
1. Chill the Ingredients: Make sure the puff pastry remains cold while you’re assembling. If it starts to get too warm, place it back in the fridge for a few minutes. Cold pastry ensures maximum puff when baked.
2. Flavor Enhancement: Mix a bit of finely grated Parmesan cheese into the cream cheese filling for an extra layer of flavor that pairs wonderfully with the salmon and basil.
3. Pre-Bake Puff Testing: Use a fork to lightly pierce the puff pastry, creating several small vent holes before filling. This helps to release steam and prevent puff pastry from becoming soggy underneath.
4. Even Baking: Space the salmon parcels evenly on the baking sheet to allow air and heat to circulate, ensuring the puff pastry bakes evenly and crisply.
5. Herb Substitution: Experiment with other fresh herbs like dill or chives instead of basil, or use a combination, to give the dish a different aromatic profile.
Lemon Basil Salmon Rolls Recipe
My favorite Lemon Basil Salmon Rolls Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Medium mixing bowl
5. Mixing spoon or spatula
6. Zester or grater (for lemon zest)
7. Knife (for chopping basil and garlic)
8. Cutting board
9. Measuring spoons
10. Rolling pin
11. Flour (for dusting surface)
12. Pastry brush (for egg wash and olive oil)
13. Fork or whisk (for beating egg)
14. Tongs or spatula (for handling salmon)
15. Serving plate or platter (for serving)
Ingredients:
– Fresh salmon fillets: 1 pound, skinless
– Lemon zest: 1 tablespoon
– Fresh basil leaves: 1/2 cup, finely chopped
– Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
– Cream cheese: 4 ounces, softened
– Puff pastry sheets: 2, thawed
– Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
– Salt: 1 teaspoon
– Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
– Egg: 1, beaten (for egg wash)
– Lemon wedges: for serving (optional)
Instructions:
1. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, blend together the cream cheese, lemon zest, chopped basil, and garlic. Beat until smooth and fully incorporated.
3. Add salt and black pepper to the salmon fillets. Do this on both sides.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets and cut each into even squares large enough to enclose the salmon.
5. Apply a thick layer of the cream cheese mixture to every square of puff pastry.
6. Position a salmon fillet atop the cream cheese layer. Fold the puff pastry edges over the salmon to enclose it, pinching the edges to seal.
7. Coat the tops of the pastries with the beaten egg so that they will bake to a golden brown.
8. Position the salmon rolls on the baking sheet, prepared as per Step 1, seam side down. To achieve a bit of extra crispness, instead of brushing with melted butter, as instructed in the earlier steps, use olive oil.
9. Place in a preheated oven set at 375 degrees F, and allow to bake for 18 to 20 minutes. The finished product should look golden brown and puffed.
10. Warm the salmon rolls and serve them with lemon wedges, if desired, on the side.
