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Date Night Salmon for Two Easy Brown Butter Lemon Capers Recipe

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A quick and elegant salmon dinner for two featuring brown butter lemon capers sauce and garlic herb orzo, ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170g each), skin-on or skinless
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (56g)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ¾ cup orzo pasta (130g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (for orzo)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley and basil), chopped
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable or chicken broth (360ml)
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the ingredients (5 minutes): Rinse salmon and pat dry. Zest and juice lemon, mince garlic, chop parsley and basil. Measure capers and have broth ready.
  2. Cook the orzo (12-15 minutes): Heat olive oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds. Add orzo and toast for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in broth, bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 10-12 minutes until tender and liquid absorbed. Stir in fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese, then cover to keep warm.
  3. Cook the salmon (8-10 minutes): Heat non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon butter or oil to pan, place salmon skin-side down if skin-on. Cook 4-5 minutes without moving until skin is crispy and golden. Flip and cook 3-4 minutes until just cooked through.
  4. Make the brown butter lemon caper sauce (3-4 minutes): Remove salmon to plate and tent with foil. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining butter to pan and cook, swirling occasionally, until foamy and golden brown with nutty aroma (~3 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds. Stir in lemon juice, zest, capers, and chopped parsley. Pour sauce over salmon.
  5. Plate and serve (1-2 minutes): Spoon garlic herb orzo onto plates, top with salmon fillets, drizzle with brown butter lemon caper sauce. Garnish with extra parsley and lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Do not crowd the pan when searing salmon. Pat salmon dry for crispy skin. Watch brown butter closely to avoid burning. Use fresh lemon juice and zest. Do not overcook salmon; it should flake easily but remain moist. Toast orzo before cooking for nuttier flavor. Rinse capers to reduce saltiness if desired. Orzo can be swapped with quinoa or gluten-free pasta for gluten-free option.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, brown butter, lemon capers, garlic herb orzo, quick dinner, date night recipe, easy salmon recipe

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/date-night-salmon-for-two-easy-brown-butter-lemon-capers-recipe/