Raymond Blanc’s whole roast salmon
- Published: 17 May 19
- Updated: 18 Mar 24
Raymond Blanc’s whole roast salmon makes a lovely change from meat in spring. Why not serve the whole fish at the table for Easter lunch?
Raymond says: “The whole fish roasted with vegetable crisps and paired with colourful spring veg, is a showstopper. It’s ideal if you fancy a change from the traditional spring lamb – just a few minutes of preparation and you’ll create a wonderful feast for the senses.”
We’ve got more springtime recipes from the brilliant Raymond Blanc: how about his grilled asparagus with vegetable crumble? Or, check out our Easter recipe collection.
- Serves 8-10
- Hands-on time 20-25 min, oven time 40 min
Ingredients
For the salmon
- 1 large potato, sliced 1mm thick (see tips)
- 1 large carrot, sliced 1mm thick (see tips)
- 2.5-3kg whole organic salmon, scaled, gutted and cleaned (see tips)
- ½ bunch fresh thyme, leaves stripped
- 4 fresh rosemary sprigs, leaves stripped
- 1 garlic bulb, cloves separated and crushed, skin on
- 3 preserved lemons, cut in half, flesh removed and thinly sliced or chopped
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
For the spring vegetables
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 little gem lettuces, cut into quarters
- 200g radishes, trimmed and halved if large
- 250g asparagus, trimmed and cut into thirds
- ½ bunch fresh flatleaf parsley, roughly chopped
- ½ bunch fresh chervil, roughly chopped (see tips)
Method
- Heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. Arrange the sliced potato and carrot in an even layer over the base of a large roasting tin. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Put the salmon on a large chopping board and score the skin and flesh to the bone, 3-5 times on each side. Stuff the cuts and cavity with the thyme, rosemary, garlic and preserved lemons, then put in the tin on top of the sliced vegetables (see Make Ahead).
- Drizzle over the olive oil, season generously with salt and pepper, then roast for 40 minutes.
- Remove the fish from the oven and check to make sure it’s cooked through – at the thickest part, the flesh should easily come away from the bone when you test it with a knife. Cover the salmon lightly with foil, then leave to rest while you prepare the spring vegetables.
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan (with a lid) over a high heat. Add the lettuce wedges, radishes, 50ml cold water and some salt and pepper, then cook for 4-5 minutes until the lettuce stalks and radishes begin to soften.
- Add the asparagus pieces and cook for 1 minute more, then remove from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley and chervil.
- Transfer the vegetables and salmon to a large serving platter (or serve the roast potatoes and carrots, salmon and spring vegetables on separate dishes), then pour the cooking juices over the salmon. Put the platter in the centre of the table and let your guests help themselves.
- Recipe from April 2019 Issue
Nutrition
- Calories
- 737kcals
- Fat
- 49.8g (9g saturated)
- Protein
- 63.2g
- Carbohydrates
- 7.6g (2.4g sugars)
- Fibre
- 3.3g
- Salt
- 0.8g
delicious. tips
Use a mandoline to cut the vegetables, or slice as thinly as possible using a sharp knife (they won’t get quite as crisp but they’ll still cook through).
If you discover your oven isn’t large enough to accommodate the whole fish, remove the head before stuffing the salmon.
Fresh chervil, though common in French cooking, can be hard to find. Buy it from finefoodspecialist.co.uk or ask your greengrocer. If you can’t find it, use extra parsley or tarragon.
Prepare the recipe to the end of step 2 up to 8 hours ahead and keep covered in the fridge. Complete from step 3.
Head straight for a chablis with this for a fresh, cool-climate take on the chardonnay grape.
Buy ingredients online
Rate & review
Rate
Reviews
Subscribe to our magazine
Food stories, skills and tested recipes, straight to your door... Enjoy 5 issues for just £5 with our special introductory offer.
SubscribeUnleash your inner chef
Looking for inspiration? Receive the latest recipes with our newsletter