Wrapped Salmon in Phyllo with Lemon Horseradish Cream Sauce
Although impressive enough for guests, this Wrapped Salmon in Phyllo is very simple to make. Finish with a zesty lemon horseradish cream sauce to perfectly round it out. In about 30 minutes and with just a handful of ingredients, create a special and unique fish dish with great texture and flavor.
8(3-ounce) skinless, boneless salmon fillets(or one 1 ½ pound skinless boneless side of salmon, cut into 8 equal pieces)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 to 12fresh basil leaves,or as needed
3tablespoonsunsalted buttermelted
4sheets phyllo (filo) dough
1 ½tablespoonscanola or vegetable oil,or as needed
Lemon-Horseradish Cream:
½cupsour cream
2tablespoonsprepared horseradish or horseradish sauce
½teaspoongrated lemon zest
1tablespoonfresh lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1tablespoonfinely chopped fresh basil or thinly sliced chives
Instructions
Season the salmon fillets on all sides with salt and pepper. Lay basil leaves on top of 4 of the salmon fillets, and then place another salmon fillet on top of each basil-covered one to make a sandwich (flip-flop the fillets so the skinny side of one is against the fat side of the other fillet to create a more even thickness for cooking).
Brush the top of 1 phyllo sheet with melted butter, fold the sheet in half (like a book), then brush the top with more butter. Place 1 salmon-basil fillet on 1 end of the phyllo dough and wrap neatly, folding the sides in like a burrito. Repeat with the remaining phyllo, butter, and salmon-basil fillets. Cover with a clean kitchen towel until ready to cook (to keep them from drying out).
Meanwhile, make the sauce by combining the sour cream, horseradish, lemon zest and juice in a bowl. Season the horseradish cream with salt and pepper and stir in the basil or chives.
Add the oil to a large nonstick sauté pan or skillet and heat the oil over medium heat. Add the phyllo-wrapped salmon fillets and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on the first side, then using silicone-tipped tongs carefully flip and cook for about 2 minutes on each of the remaining 3 sides (the first side will usually take the longest to brown). The phyllo should be golden brown and an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the salmon should read 145°F. Serve the salmon fillets immediately with the horseradish cream.
Notes
Be gentle when working with phyllo dough as it can tear easily. It can also quickly dry out so it is imperative to keep your phyllo covered with a cloth when not working with it.
Since this recipe only uses 4 sheets of phyllo, I suggest planning ahead on what you would like to make with the remaining phyllo dough so you can make it the same day you make the salmon. I would not recommend thawing and then refreezing phyllo dough.
To learn more about phyllo dough, check out my paklava post.