Recipe(tried): Baked Salmon with Roasted Pecan Crust

We are staying with our dear friends in CT before heading off to Cape Cod.

Last night for dinner we made the most delicious salmon - the contrast in flavors and crunchy texture was wonderful.

Although the recipe was for salmon, we all thought it would work on any fish - especially striped bass, or cod, or if you're lucky enough to live where you can get snook (FL!), that would be great, too.

Baked Salmon with Roasted Pecan Crust

1/2 tsp. vegetable oil
large salmon fillet (ours was about 2#)
salt and freshly ground pepper
parsley (fresh or dried)
1 1/2 c. finely chopped pecans
3 T. melted butter
1 1/2 T. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. honey
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 350.

Grease a jelly roll pan with the vegetable oil, then place salmon fillet, skin side down, and sprinkle with salt & pepper - (I had thought that I was generous with the salt, but it definitely needed more at the table, and was much better for it) Sprinkle parsley over top of fillet.

In a medium bowl, mix the pecans, melted butter, lemon juice, honey & Worcestershire sauce.

Then spread over entire surface of fillet, working it into an even crust with your hands.

Place on middle shelf of oven and bake for approx. 30 minutes, or until cooked thru (check by inserting fork into thickest area and seeing if it pulls apart and flakes easily) Don't overcook - it'll be dry.

We had some leftover garlic mashed potatoes, so our friend made some potato pancakes to go along with the salmon, plus some homemade crusty Italian bread, and a beautiful spinach salad, with yellow and orange peppers, mandarin orange sections, red onions, and a lovely honey-mustard ginger dressing.

Today, unfortunately, is going to be a very sad day for my DH & I - our beloved 15-year old black lab will have his final day with us - he is very ill and we must help him not to suffer any more. He has been our joy, brought laughter and has been our most loyal friend since my DH brought him home as an 8 week old pup. He was tucked inside DH's jacket, with just his tiny little black nose poking out. He has been in our hearts ever since.

I think that only people who have experienced the loyalty and unconditional love of a dog can appreciate our sadness and grief today.

Love, June