Raymond Blanc’s whole roast salmon

  • Portion size: Serves 8-10
  • Hands-on time 20-25 min, oven time 40 min
  • Difficulty: easy
Recipe by: Raymond Blanc

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.

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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)
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Method

  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. Drizzle over the olive oil, 
season generously with salt and pepper, then roast for 40 minutes.
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  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Add the asparagus pieces and cook for 1 minute more, then remove from the heat and stir in 
the chopped parsley and chervil.
  8. 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.

Nutrition

  • 737kcals Calories
  • 49.8g (9g saturated) Fat
  • 63.2g Protein
  • 7.6g (2.4g sugars) Carbs
  • 3.3g Fibre
  • 0.8g Salt

Quick wins & 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.

Make Ahead

Prepare the recipe to the end of step 2 up to 8 hours ahead and keep covered in the fridge. Complete from step 3.

To Drink

Head straight for a chablis with this 
for a fresh, cool-climate take 
on the chardonnay grape.

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