Spinach and Crab Stuffed Salmon With Zesty Lemon Cream Sauce Recipe

Imagine wrapping tender salmon fillets around a creamy, flavorful filling of crabmeat and spinach. This Spinach and Crab Stuffed Salmon with Zesty Lemon Cream Sauce is a dish that combines vibrant tastes and textures. It’s perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a special meal at home. But how do you create this elegant dish? Let’s explore the recipe and all the steps involved in crafting this culinary delight.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

When you try this Spinach and Crab Stuffed Salmon recipe, you’ll quickly see why it’s a favorite among many home cooks. The rich combination of crabmeat and spinach adds depth to the salmon, while the zesty lemon cream sauce enhances the flavor.

You’ll enjoy the variety of textures, from the creamy cheese to the chunky crab and wilted spinach. This dish appeals to a wide range of tastes, making it perfect for gatherings. Plus, it’s easy to prepare, taking just 35-40 minutes. You can quickly gather simple ingredients and even make the stuffing in advance. Additionally, using wild-caught salmon for this recipe not only elevates the flavor but also provides health benefits.

Feel free to customize the seasonings or cheeses to suit your preferences, ensuring a delightful experience every time you serve it.

History

The history of Spinach and Crab Stuffed Salmon showcases a blend of traditional seafood recipes and modern culinary adaptations.

This dish likely originated from classic seafood combinations, evolving over time to include ingredients like cream cheese and crab, which are popular in many restaurant-style meals. You’ll find variations with shrimp or different cheeses, making it versatile for home cooks. Stuffed salmon has become a favored dish in many kitchens, particularly due to its rich flavor profile and ease of preparation.

Wild-caught salmon is preferred for its nutritional benefits, and several types of salmon can be used.

Cooking methods have also evolved, with baking, pan-searing, and even air frying becoming common techniques.

Flavorful additions like lemon juice brighten the dish, while fresh herbs add sophistication, making it a favorite for special occasions and everyday meals alike.

Recipe

Ingredients:
– Center-cut salmon filets
– Garlic salt
– Black pepper
– Cooked crab meat
– Heavy cream
– Fresh spinach leaves
– Shallots
– Cream cheese
– Garlic
– Parmesan cheese
– Fresh lemon juice
– Butter
– Fresh parsley
– Additional seasonings (Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, Cedarwood smoked seafood seasoning)

Cooking Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Prepare the salmon filets by cutting a pocket into the thickest part of each filet, being careful not to cut all the way through. Season the outsides of the filets with garlic salt and black pepper.
In a skillet over medium-high heat, combine cooked crab meat, heavy cream, fresh spinach leaves, chopped shallots, cream cheese, minced garlic, and parmesan cheese. Cook until the cream cheese is melted and the spinach is wilted, then season with garlic salt and additional parmesan cheese for thickening.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Once the filling has cooled enough to handle, spoon the mixture into the pockets of the salmon filets until they’re generously filled. This elevates tender salmon filets with added body and flavor.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed salmon filets for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they’re golden brown. Transfer the filets to a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.
While the salmon is baking, prepare the lemon cream sauce. In a small pot over medium-low heat, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
Add heavy whipping cream and allow it to simmer hard until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
Once the salmon is done, plate the filets and pour the lemon cream sauce over them. Garnish with cracked black pepper and additional fresh parsley for presentation.

Extra Tips:
For an added layer of flavor, consider incorporating a mix of seasonings such as Old Bay or Cajun seasoning into your filling or on the salmon itself.

Using fresh lemon juice in the cream sauce provides a vibrant flavor, so avoid bottled juice if possible.

Additionally, feel free to customize the filling by adding other ingredients like diced bell peppers or herbs to suit your taste. Enjoy your culinary creation!

Final Thoughts

As you wrap up your meal preparation, remember that this Spinach and Crab Stuffed Salmon not only delights the taste buds but also offers numerous health benefits. Salmon is a fantastic source of protein, providing 29 grams per serving, and it’s low in saturated fat. With its rich omega-3 fatty acids, this dish supports heart health, making it a smart choice for your diet. Additionally, the nutritional values of salmon with lemon cream sauce indicate that it contains 13.98 grams of protein and 12.71 grams of fat per 100 grams, further emphasizing its healthful profile.

The addition of spinach and crab enhances the flavor while adding vitamins and minerals, like vitamin D and B12. Plus, the zesty lemon cream sauce gives a delicious twist. Whether it’s a cozy dinner or an elegant gathering, this dish is sure to impress while keeping your health in check. Enjoy your meal!

FAQ

When making Spinach and Crab Stuffed Salmon, you might’ve some questions about the process or ingredients.

First, make sure your salmon fillets are boneless and skinless for easy stuffing. If you’re using frozen salmon, fully thaw it before starting. It’s important to note that salmon is a good source of protein, which will enhance the nutritional value of your dish.

Create a pocket in each fillet for the stuffing without piercing through the other side. It’s best to cool the spinach and garlic mixture before mixing it with cream cheese and crab meat.

For the best flavor, choose real crab meat and regular cream cheese.

Bake the salmon uncovered at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-20 minutes, checking to avoid overcooking.

You can prepare the dish ahead and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.

Enjoy your meal!