First, since ranges vary in their intensity, position the top rack of your oven so that the top of your salmon will be about 6-7 inches from the heating element. Set the oven to broil and let it preheat on high for five minutes.Using this type of broiler pan with a grid top, is what I recommend. You can line the bottom drip pan of the broiler pan with foil for easier cleanup.
Brush the broiler pan with oil.
For basting butter
Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel.Mix 1 teaspoon of mustard and 1/2 teaspoon of paprika into 3 tablespoons of softened butter. Divide basting butter to top each piece of salmon. Then, place skin side down on the broiler.
Broil for about 3-4 minutes. Then turn over, gently peel away the skin with a spatula and discard. Broil salmon for an additional 3-4 minutes. Then transfer to a serving dish.
For sauce
Meanwhile, combine onions, basil, wine, and cream in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stir, and reduce about 3 minutes. (Reduction is the method of evaporating the liquid for a more concentrated flavor and thicker consistency.) Now remove your saucepan from the heat and add the remaining stick of cold butter, a tablespoon at a time. Stir while the sauce emulsifies and thickens. Finally, stir in 2 tablespoons of mustard and a dash of pepper.
1 tablespoon onions, 1 teaspoon basil, 1/2 cup white wine, 1/3 cup cream, 1 stick of cold butter, 2 tablespoons gluten free Dijon mustard, dash of pepper
Spoon sauce over each piece of salmon.
Notes
In this recipe, halfway through broiling the salmon I flip it over, remove the skin, and continue cooking it on the bottom.You don’t have to flip it. Broiled salmon will cook all the way through. It's up to you.How do I know my salmon is done? Fish goes from almost done to perfectly cooked very quickly. (If it begins to ooze, it’s cooked through and should be removed from the heat immediately.)Here’s a doneness test: when you see the fish begin to look opaque, slide a pairing knife through one of the seams in the flesh and pry it back to see if it’s lost its transparency.There should still be some juice, but it will be mostly opaque and flake. The fish will continue to cook even after it’s removed from the heat. By the time you’re ready to serve your salmon, it will be cooked through and ready for your sauce.What type of salmon should I use for this recipe? Generally, I recommend buying wild caught fish because of the many problems associated with farmed fish. Read more about the differences between wild and factory-farmed salmon here.But I know fresh wild salmon can be a little pricey.Frozen wild caught Alaska sockeye salmon from Trader Joe’s is reasonably priced and tasty. If you use frozen fish, make sure it’s thawed according to the directions before cooking.Can I substitute the white wine in the sauce with a non-alcoholic option? Yes, you can use chicken broth as a suitable substitute for the white wine in the sauce.How do I store leftovers? Leftover salmon will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days.And the sauce is also delicious drizzled over vegetables or on chicken or pork, so save any leftover sauce in the fridge in a separate jar for the week.What goes with this dish? Whether you're an asparagus fan or a bacon fan, bacon wrapped asparagus is a perfect side with your salmon. Or you might also like bacon Brussels sprouts.You can also serve the salmon over rice or, if you're low carb like me, try seasoned cauliflower rice with bacon. It makes a delicious easy side dish that tastes just like fried rice. Yum.