Liz's Best Baked Salmon with Lemon-Thyme Crumb Topping

One of the perks of marriage are in-laws.I won the lottery with mine. My mother in law is one of the very best cooks I have ever known. She makes this salmon dish for special family events and graciously allowed me to share this treasure with you all. My husband can eat an entire Costco sized filet himself. It is that good. It is also surprisingly quick to put together. 

Serves 4-6. Prep time 40 min. Bake time 20 min.

Ingredients:

1/2 c chopped fresh italian parsley

1/4 c plus 2 T freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 c chopped fresh thyme or 1 T dried, crumbled

2 t grated lemon peel

1/2 t salt

4 small garlic cloves

2 1/2 c fresh white breadcrumbs

6 T (3/4 stick) butter, melted

1 3-4lb salmon fillet

2 T (1/4 stick) butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place parsley, Parmesan, thyme, lemon peel, and salt in food processor. With machine running, drop garlic through feed tube and process mixture until finely chopped. Transfer to medium bowl. Add breadcrumbs and stir to combine.  Toss breadcrumb mixture with 6 T melted butter. *note: This can be prepared a day ahead. Prepare mixture leaving out the butter and cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using and mix in melted butter.

Rinse salmon and pat dry. Generously butter shallow baking pan. Place salmon skin side down. Brush with 2 T melted butter. Cover with breadcrumb mixture. Bake fish until opaque in center, about 20 minutes. Serve with spiced parsley mayonnaise. (see below)

SPICED PARSLEY MAYONNAISE

1/4 c minced fresh italian parsley
1/4 c minced fresh cilantro
1/4 c minced green onions
2 T red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 t minced fresh oregano (or 1/4 t dried)
1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
1/8 t cayenne pepper
1 c mayonnaise OR plain greek yogurt

Combine all ingredients except mayonnaise in small bowl. Cover and let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes. Stir in mayonnaise and serve.