The first secret to great results is this same secret that applies to all types of fish.  The salmon must be extremely fresh — more than two days old and there will be a significant decrease in the quality of your meal.  When you buy salmon it should look fresh and be virtually odorless.  If the fish you are purchasing has any discernible odor it is usually too old.  Also, if the eyes are cloudy the fish is not in good condition for cooking.

Another important factor in achieving great results with your baked salmon recipes is to not overcook the fish and to use the right temperature.  Between three hundred and fifty and three hundred and seventy five degrees is optimal.

If you touch the flesh of the fish with a fork and there is hardly any resistance then the fish is cooked.  If you feel a fair amount of resistance on the fork then you have probably overcooked the salmon.  Remember, the salmon will continue to cook itself for a minute or two after you remove it from the oven.

If you leave the skin on the salmon the skin side should always be placed down for cooking.  After baking is completed the skin will normally separate from the fish naturally.

In many cases people who are not particularly fond of fish will thoroughly enjoy a baked salmon recipe if it is done correctly.  Baked salmon is also low in calories and carbohydrates, and contains important omega-3 fatty acids.

It is hard to go wrong if you stick to the basics including Dill, Rosemary, or teriyaki sauce.  Of course, you shouldn’t use these three spices together in one recipe, but separately as a lead ingredient each of the spices and herbs creates a great foundation for baked salmon.

Certain spices add a natural complement to baked salmon, while others actually can take away from the natural flavors of this great fish.  For example, Dill and Rosemary are two herbs that really add to a baked salmon recipe.  I wouldn’t use Dill and Rosemary together in the same recipe, but separately these two herbs can create distinctly different salmon recipes that are both outstanding in their own right.

A different type of baked salmon recipe that is also very good uses celery salt and teriyaki sauce to bring out the wild flavors.  This type of meal goes well with any sort of wild rice and vegetable.  By the way, a Teriyaki based recipe can also be used for grilled salmon.  You can also add some variety by using Alaska Smoked Salmon in your recipes.

Baked Salmon recipes tend to go over well when they enhance either the wild, woody aromas that accompany salmon.  On the other hand, some of the more common Chinese recipes for salmon really don’t do this wild fish justice.  Adding too much garlic and ginger root really creates contrasting flavors that do not sit well.

The other recommendation to ensure that your baked salmon recipes are enjoyed by a wide variety of people is to remove the skin before preparation.  When you’re baking a salmon the flavor from the oils in the skin can take away from the wonderful flavor of the natural salmon.  In contrast, when you’re grilling salmon it is actually beneficial to leave the skin on so that it protects one side from the hot grills.  This is usually personal preference and there are benefits to both methods as long as you use the correct blend of spices and herbs to suit your recipe.

There are varying degrees of difficulty when trying to bake salmon and you should stick to the level of cooking complexity that you’re comfortable with and that suits your cooking experience.  It is also critical that you do not overcook the salmon and use the appropriate temperatures at all times.

Salmon steaks are cut from the center of the fish as opposed to being filleted lengthwise along the length of the fish.  These steaks will almost always have the bone of the fish left in and this can actually enhance the flavor of your meal as the natural juices from the bones of the fish blend with the flavor of the spices that you have added to your salmon steak recipe.

Of course one of the cardinal rules of baking salmon steaks or any fish for that matter is not to overcook it.  Most people cook their fish too much, and as a result they are unaccustomed to how wonderful properly cooked fish can taste.  The slightest bit of overcooking will dramatically reduce the flavor and texture of your meal.

Baked salmon steak recipes reduce the opportunity for overcooking because they are generally thicker, have the additional oils from the bone, and in many cases the skin from the salmon steak will cook along with the fish.  As long as you use the right spices with your steaks you can enhance the strong flavor of the salmon and make it an excellent meal even for the most discriminating person.

The most common baked salmon recipes include your favorite spices and seasonings and then place the salmon in a baking dish in the oven.  Another method is to bake the salmon steaks on a platter in your BBQ.  Because the salmon steaks are in a dish or platter and cook in their own juices the flavor will be slightly different than if you cook the steaks directly on the grill in your BBQ.

One of the best cooking methods to help infuse the great spices and herb flavors is to bake the salmon. Of course, other great alternatives include broiled salmon.

Baked salmon florentine is an excellent example of a baked salmon recipe that appeals to all ages and groups.  This dish includes rice, sautéed onion that has been chopped, and mixed with butter, dry mustard, and milk.  Adding a cup of shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese, as well as spinach, really enhances the flavor of the baked salmon.

Another great salmon recipe is baked salmon with pineapple.  This meal can also be cooked on the grill, however we find that baking it in the oven produces a far superior flavor.  You will need some pineapple pieces, a small amount of soy sauce, ginger, and nutmeg.  Generally you will want to bake your salmon at approximately three hundred and fifty to three hundred and seventy five degrees in the oven.

One of the best baked salmon recipes includes breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese to create a wonderful crust on top of your baked salmon.  Adding dijon mustard, breadcrumbs without any seasoning, lemon juice and melted butter will create an excellent meal for your entire family. Another way is to cook marinated salmon with sauce.

The best baked salmon recipes are usually created with your oven at approximately three hundred and fifty degrees.  A general rule of thumb is to cook your salmon for approximately ten minutes for every one inch of thickness.  When you have a filet where the thickness varies you can average the cooking time between the thinnest and the thickest portions of the salmon.

• It is important not to over-bake salmon, as it can cause it to lose some of the flavor and be dry
• Be sure to remove any pin bones from the filet
• If the skin is on the filet, place it skin-side down
• Normally, the best oven setting for most baked salmon recipes is around 350 degrees with ten minutes per 1 inch of thickness
• Baked Salmon is best when done to medium rare doneness, and continues to cook in it’s juices when pulled out of the oven
• Keep the salmon refrigerated and it is recommended you bake salmon within a day or two of bringing it home
• For easy clean up after baking salmon, you may line the baking dish with foil.

To start our baked salmon recipe, we will start with the stuffed tomato portion, since it takes longer than the salmon and we don’t want to over bake the fish:

Set the oven on 375 degrees and place in a baking dish:

• Six large tomatoes, halved horizontally, seeds removed
• In a mixing bowl, chop 1 clove of garlic, 1 ½ cups of basil, 1 ½ cups of parsley and stuff the mixture into the tomatoes
• Take 4 tablespoons of dried bread crumbs and sprinkle over stuffed tomatoes and drizzle with olive oil
• Bake 20-25 minutes, until golden

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. For the salmon portion of the baking you will need to place the following in a baking dish:

• 12-16 ounce salmon filet, skin side down
• 3 large cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons of chopped rosemary, (or for a special effect tableside, use a few full sprigs, then light on fire just before serving, in a well ventilated area, and the rosemary will concentrate onto the baked salmon)
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil to coat baking pan or foil and then sprinkle over salmon
• Drizzle the juice of one lemon over salmon, and place in oven for 10-15 minutes
• Cut lemon wedges to serve with the salmon

Your guests or family will love this baked salmon recipe!  It is easy to assemble, bakes in less than an hour, and is a full meal. This is one of those baked salmon recipes that lends itself to some easy variations.

You can make this a one dish casserole by using a larger baking dish and surround the salmon with 20-30 cherry tomatoes covered with the herb stuffing and sprinkle the bread crumbs over the entire dish.  Sprinkle with powdered parmesan cheese and top with full sprigs of rosemary and bake for 15 minutes.  Light the rosemary sprigs, bring to the table.

The whole house will smell like rosemary and the one dish baked salmon recipe can be served with bread, a side salad and dessert, and you will impress even the most discriminating guest.