Walnut Crusted Salmon with Cauliflower Parsnip Puree and Apple Cider Glaze

This Walnut Crusted Salmon with Cauliflower Parsnip Puree and Apple Cider Glaze is one of my favorite ways to enjoy salmon during the Fall months! The salmon gets a crunchy walnut panko crust and is served over a creamy puree made from cauliflower and parsnips. And the best part? A sweet & tangy apple cider glaze that brings the whole dish together! It's satisfying, protein-packed and feels a little fancy, but is still approachable enough to make at home.

Servings people

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Equipment

cutting board
peeler
knife
small pot
whisk
medium pot
colander
immersion blender (optional)
Food Processor
medium bowl
spoon
Pastry brush
baking sheet
parchment paper

Ingredients

For the Walnut Crusted Salmon:

4 5oz salmon filets (Atlantic, not wild)
1 ½-2 tbsp dijon mustard
½ cup raw walnuts
⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs (can sub gluten free)
½ tsp lemon zest
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil

For the Cauliflower Parsnip Puree:

1 lb cauliflower florets
10 oz parsnips peeled & cut into large chunks (can sub more cauliflower or yellow potatoes)
⅓ cup milk (2% or whole recommended)
2 tbsp unsalted butter
kosher salt to taste

For the Apple Cider Glaze:

2 cups apple cider
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp unsalted butter
kosher salt to taste

Instructions

First, preheat your oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Then, add cauliflower florets and parsnips to a medium pot and cover with water. Bring up to a boil. Once boiling, season generously with kosher salt and reduce the heat to a more gentle boil, about medium-low, for 12 minutes or until very fork tender and almost falling apart.
1 lb cauliflower florets, 10 oz parsnips
Meanwhile, add walnuts to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped (you can do this by hand with a knife if you don't own a food processor). Add chopped walnuts to a bowl along with the panko breadcrumbs, lemon zest, dried thyme, garlic powder, kosher salt & black pepper, and stir to combine. Then, add in the oil and stir until evenly moistened.
½ cup raw walnuts, ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs, ½ tsp lemon zest, ½ tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil
Pat salmon filets dry with a paper towel, then add them skin side down to the parchment-lined baking sheet and brush dijon mustard over the top of each. Scatter walnut topping evenly over the salmon filets, pressing down to adhere. Transfer to the oven to bake for about 15 minutes, or until done through.
**Cook time assumes that you are using salmon filets that are about 1.25-1.5" thick. For filets that are closer to 1-1.25", start with 13 minutes.
1 ½-2 tbsp dijon mustard, 4 5oz salmon filets
Meanwhile, add apple cider to a large, wide pan and bring up to a boil over medium-high heat. Then reduce heat to a simmer over medium-low for about 10 minutes until it has reduced significantly and is starting to lightly coat the back of a spoon. Then, whisk in the dijon mustard, lemon juice & kosher salt. Turn off the heat and whisk in the butter until melted and the sauce is glossy.
2 cups apple cider, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dijon mustard, 1 tbsp unsalted butter, kosher salt
Once the cauliflower and parsnips are fall-apart tender, drain off excess liquid and add back to the pot over medium heat for 2 minutes to dry them out further. Turn off the heat and add in the butter, milk and kosher salt, then use an immersion blender to blend until smooth, adding more milk as needed. Alternatively, you can transfer it all to a food processor and blend it that way.
⅓ cup milk, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, kosher salt
Serve walnut crusted salmon over a bed of cauliflower parsnip puree followed by a few spoonfuls of apple cider glaze over top. Enjoy!

Video

Calories: 607kcal

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Keyword: Apple Cider, Cauliflower, Fall Recipe, High Protein, Parsnips, Salmon, Walnuts

Nutrition