Salmon with Herb Butter and Mustard in Puff Pastry

Such a little parcel, so intriguing on the table. You open it up, and inside is a tasty piece of fish that the whole family eats in silence, just smacking their lips.

I spotted this idea, or something like it, on TV a while ago. I don't even remember which show anymore, though I suspect it was G. Ramsay's. It's a brilliant idea for fish. Simple, impressive and tasty. I wasn't going to post it on the blog, which is why I don't have exact amounts of the ingredients (I made it from memory, without a specific recipe), and the photos aren't stunning. But then I thought it was worth sharing, and I'll make the dish again and take new photos too :)

Salmon with herb butter in puff pastry

I served my fish with roasted potatoes with rosemary and green beans with sesame seeds.

Salmon with herb butter in puff pastry

Directions:

Preheat the oven to about 200-210°C (390-410°F).

Wash and dry the fillets, remove the skin if necessary, and season them. Wash and dry the herbs and separate the leaves from the stems (if needed), then chop them very finely. Put the butter in a small bowl, add the herbs, season with salt and pepper (optional), add one or two pressed garlic cloves and mix everything together well. You can use a fork, although I like using my hands best :) The result is a delicious herb butter.

Spread one of the fillets with the butter and spread the other thickly with mustard, then put the two fillets together like a sandwich, one on top of the other, with the seasoned sides facing each other (inward).

Roll out the puff pastry and place the fish in the middle. Wrap the fish into a parcel: brush the edges with beaten egg yolk, fold the longer edges toward the middle so they overlap, then press the shorter edges together and tuck them underneath. If they are too long, you can trim off the excess. Gently score a diagonal crosshatch pattern on top, brush with beaten egg yolk and put it in the preheated oven. Bake for about 30 minutes. The pastry should turn a beautiful golden brown. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!