If you’ve read my previous articles in Sommelier Choice Awards, you’ll know I love salmon. This recipe is one of my favorite preparations and the best part, it’s extremely simple to make. 

Fuss-free cooking that looks and tastes like a labor of love? Oh yeah! Traditionally, salmon rillette (“ree-yet”) is a posh French brasserie dish mixed together with rich crème fraiche, double cream, butter and sometimes white wine. This recipe using nothing but fresh yogurt, fine herbs and a kiss of lemon zest proving you don’t need all those heavy fats to achieve an exquisite taste. Salmon rillette pairs brilliantly with almost any white wine under the sun, whether racy and zesty, fruity or herbaceous [probably not sweet].

So, this crowd pleaser recipe is my gift to you to pair as you please. And my final advise is don’t save this recipe for a fancy occasion, it’s a simple superfood dish that belongs in everyone’s repertoire! Serve on fresh baguette or find the recipe for my Californian dried fruit cracker for a gourmet delight.

Ingredients

2/3 lbs             fresh king salmon

¼ cup yogurt

3 tbsp  mixed fresh herbs of your liking (chives, basil, parsley, mint, tarragon, lemon thyme)

1 tsp     shallot, finely minced (optional)

1 tsp     lemon juice (optional)

zest     half lemon

pinch   kosher salt (to taste)

pinch   ground black pepper

Method:

1. Heat oven to 350º and cook salmon skin side down for 18-20 minutes or until salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145ºF (63ºC) or above, allow to cool.

2. With your hands carefully peel to remove the skin (set aside!) delicately flake the salmon, leaving some nice chucks for texture. Fold in all other ingredients. Store in a tight container in the fridge for a maximum of 3 days for optimal freshness.

3. For an extra restaurant-y touch, dry salmon skin with a paper towel and place over a wire rack. return to oven for extra 5 minutes or until golden and crunchy. Allow to cool for what my girlfriend describes as “Salmon Bacon”.

Author: Timothy Neumann

 - Sommeliers Choice Awards Multicultural Food and Wine Ambassador

Tim is an Australian food and wine writer and accredited nutritionist. When cooking, Tim loves using healthy, local ingredients accented with bold multicultural flavors. Discover more Beverage Trade Network food and wine ideas like this online, at Sommeliers Choice Awards.