Recipes:Roasted salmon

Cooking whole sides of salmon for a centrepiece is a sociable and special way of eating

1 x 2kg/4lb 8oz salmon , filleted to give two sides, skin on
1 lemon , sliced
good handful mixed herbs such as parsley , dill, chervil or tarragon
2 bay leaves
1-2 shallots , thinly sliced
splash white wine

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Sit one of the salmon fillets, skin-side down, on a large sheet of foil or baking parchment. Scatter with the lemon slices, herbs, shallots and seasoning, then sit the second fillet on top - skin-side up. Tie in 2-3 places with string to secure, splash with wine and fold up the foil or paper to seal. Can be chilled for up to 3 hrs.
Place on a baking sheet and bake for 50 mins-1 hr until the salmon is cooked through - check by poking a knife into the fillets and making sure the flesh flakes easily. Serve in foil or paper on a serving plate, or carefully lift out using a couple of fish slices. Slice into portions and serve with the Lemon & chive mayonnaise and New potatoes 'Lyonnaise' (see 'Goes well with' recipes) and half-steamed broccoli (see below).

Half-steamed purple sprouting broccoli

In a wide, heavy-based pan, heat about 2cm depth of water with some salt. When boiling, add 375g purple sprouting broccoli and cook for 2 mins or until just al dente. Drain, season and serve immediately.

Buying salmon

Depending on what your supermarket or fishmonger has available, you probably won't get a perfect 2kg salmon, but if in any doubt go larger. Any leftovers are delicious cold, or use them to make fish cakes or a fish pie.