Lemony Salmon Caesar With Parmesan Crisps

I’m not picking favorites among my dinner-salad children, but man, is this good. The salmon is cooked over low heat, which makes it plush and fresh-tasting; the dressing is bright with lemon and funky with anchovies; and the cheese crisps offer just the right amount of carbless crunch (to say nothing of the additional snowy heaps of parmesan). In addition, not only is salmon delicious and feels high-end, but it also contains zero carbs, meaning it won't cause blood sugar spikes. 

But if you don’t want to make the crisps, just skip them altogether – there’s enough deliciousness going on as it is, and the romaine is plenty crunchy. Otherwise, feel free to add seasoned nuts, chickpea croutons, or store-bought cheese crisps such as Moon Cheese or Just the Cheese. 

Recipe details

Makes: 4 servings

Total time: 25 minutes

Total carbohydrates: 5 grams per serving

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• Grated zest of one lemon, plus one lemon cut into wedges for garnish
• 1 clove garlic, smashed, peeled, and minced
• 4 (1-inch pieces) center-cut salmon fillet (1-1½ pounds)
• 1 ¼ cups finely and freshly grated Parmesan cheese 
• 6 or so cups of chopped romaine lettuce
• Caesar dressing (below)

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the salmon skin-side down in a baking dish and season it with salt and pepper. Stir together the olive oil, lemon zest, and garlic, and drizzle this mixture over the fish. 
2. Roast for 15-25 minutes, until the flesh is just beginning to flake when you press a fork into it, and you can separate the fish from its skin. It might look different from the way you’re used to cooked fish looking – rosier and less opaque. That’s okay! Set it aside to cool and turn the oven up to 400 degrees.
3. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, spread 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan into a 2-inch circle. Repeat with 3 more tablespoons of Parmesan, then bake for 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and just turning golden. Set aside to cool while you make the dressing (below).
4. Put the lettuce in a bowl and drizzle some dressing over it. Toss well, then taste a leaf and add more dressing if it needs it.
5. Divide the lettuce among four plates or bowls. Top each bowl with a generous flurry of Parmesan, a piece of salmon (use a thin spatula to lift it from its skin when you take it out of the pan), a Parmesan crisp, and a lemon wedge, and serve right away.

To make Caesar dressing:

My Caesar dressing is a version of Adam Brown’s, which is a version of one from "The Keto Diet" book: In a blender or food processor, mix 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 small (2-ounce) tin of anchovy fillets (drain the oil), 1/3 cup lemon juice (around 2 lemons worth), 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 3 cloves of garlic (or 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder), and plenty of freshly ground black pepper until creamy and smooth. There will be leftover dressing, which will keep in the refrigerator for around a week.

Photo credit: Catherine Newman