Slow-Baked Atlantic Salmon with Tabouli from 'Flour, Too'

Updated March 15, 2019

Despite the proliferation of how-to guides on grilling, pan-searing, and poaching fish, the thought of cooking this notoriously finicky protein can strike fear in the hearts of many a seasoned home cook. Between its strong smell and high price tag, salmon is probably the worst perpetrator of this anxiety.

But there's good news for fish-averse cooks: Joanne Changs recipe for slow-baked salmon in her new cookbook, Flour, Too, is not only easy (and pretty foolproof), but it also keeps that intense salmon smell at bay. The filets are well-coated in olive oil and then cooked in a gentle 300o F oven until just firm to the touch. They stay delicate and buttery, with no stringy flesh in sight. To pair with the rich salmon, Chang whips up a fluffy, lemon-y tabouli salad. It's heavy on the bulgur to make it a more substantial side dish, but the tabouli still has a strong, herbal presence.

Why I picked this recipe: It's king salmon season over here in California, and I can't get enough bites of its rich, buttery, and colorful flesh. Chang's cool, lemony tabouli seemed like a great match for the fish.

What worked: Slow-baking the salmon was a perfect cooking technique for both the fish's texture and the ease of cooking (nothing hard about throwing a couple of filets in the oven). The tabouli, while admittedly more grain-heavy than is traditional, was ready lickety-split.

What didn't: Be generous when it comes to lemon and salt in the salad. The mild bulgur wheat needs quite a bit of seasoning to come into its own.

Suggested tweaks: If you have a crazy fish market like mine that only sells skinless salmon fillets, you can still cook the salmon this way. Just be sure to line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. You don't need to use Atlantic salmon here—choose the freshest fillets you can find in your area.

Reprinted with permission from Flour, Too: Indispensable Recipes for the Cafe's Most Loved Sweets and Savories by Joanne Chang. Copyright 2013. Published by Chronicle Books. All rights reserved. Available wherever books are sold.

Recipe Details

Slow-Baked Atlantic Salmon with Tabouli from 'Flour, Too'

Active 20 mins

Total 60 mins

Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Tabouli:

1 cup (200g) bulgur wheat, fine grind or no. 1 grind
1 to 1 1/2 cups (240 to 360ml) boiling water
6 radishes, trimmed and quartered lengthwise
2 Persian cucumbers or 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced crosswise
1 cup (170g) halved cherry tomatoes
3 tablespoons minced red onion
1/4 cup (15g) julienned fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup (15g) julienned fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Salmon:

4 tablespoons (60ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds (680g) salmon fillet with skin intact, cut into 4 equal pieces
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lemon

Directions

For the Tabouli: Put bulgur wheat in a small heatproof bowl and pour 1 cup (240 ml) of boiling water over it. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in a warm area for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, uncover and fluff up the bulgur wheat with a fork. If it is still hard or chewy, add 1/4 cup (60 ml) boiling water, re-cover, and steam for another 5 minutes. Repeat once more if necessary. You want bulgur wheat to be fluffy and tender. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, mint, and parsley. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice and toss until evenly coated. Add lemon zest, salt, and pepper and toss again. Add bulgur wheat and mix until well combined. (Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and/or lemon juice if needed.) The salad can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For the best flavor and texture, bring to room temperature before serving.
Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C), and place a rack in the middle of the oven.
For the Salmon: Smear the baking sheet with 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil and place salmon, skin-side down, on the baking sheet. Drizzle about half of remaining oil over salmon and sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until fish turns opaque and feels firm when you press the thickest part. The baking time will depend on the thickness of the fillet. Keep in mind that even after fish comes out of the oven, it will continue to cook because of carryover cooking (retained heat).
Remove salmon from oven and baste it with remaining oil. Squeeze lemon half over the salmon pieces and let fish rest on the baking sheet for 5 to 8 minutes. To serve, divide tabouli evenly among four dinner plates, and top each with a salmon fillet.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
569	Calories
38g	Fat
16g	Carbs
40g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	569
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 38g	49%
Saturated Fat 7g	33%
Cholesterol 107mg	36%
Sodium 588mg	26%
Total Carbohydrate 16g	6%
Dietary Fiber 4g	14%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 40g
Vitamin C 32mg	159%
Calcium 61mg	5%
Iron 2mg	12%
Potassium 917mg	20%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.