Dinner: Salt-Baked Salmon with Citrus and Herbs

Recipe by /contributors/alison-roman It can be hard to gauge what's happening under all that salt, but these times are accurate. If your fish is on the smaller side, take it out on the lower end of the range.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Salmon, Lemon, Grapefruit

Health benefits of Salt-Baked Salmon with Citrus and Herbs

Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for reducing inflammation and promoting cardiovascular health. It is also rich in vitamin D, which helps regulate insulin levels and improve mood, both of which are important for managing PCOS symptoms. Additionally, salmon provides a good amount of B vitamins, particularly B12, which supports energy production and helps maintain healthy nerve function. Including salmon in your diet can help balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and support overall well-being. Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form. Grapefruits are rich in folic acid. One grapefruit will give you 8% of your daily needs of folic acid.

Ingredients

1 5 –6 pound head-and tail-on salmon or arctic char, cleaned
10 cups kosher salt (from about one 48-ounce box), plus more
1 grapefruit, thinly sliced
2 lemons, thinly sliced
1/2 bunch dill
1/2 bunch tarragon

Instructions

Place a rack in the center of oven and preheat to 400 °. Season inside of salmon with salt. Stuff with one-third of grapefruit slices, lemon slices, dill sprigs, and tarragon sprigs.
Mix 10 cups salt and 1 1/2 cups water in a large bowl, adding more water as needed, until mixture is the texture of wet sand. Spread a thin layer of salt mixture on a rimmed baking sheet roughly the same shape and size as fish.
Top salt mixture with another third of grapefruit and lemon slices and dill and tarragon sprigs; set salmon on salt bed and top with remaining citrus and herbs. Pack remaining salt mixture over fish, leaving head and tail peeking out.
Roast salmon until just cooked through (poke a paring knife or metal skewer though the salt and into the flesh; it should feel warm to the touch when removed), 40 –50 minutes.