Zesty Roasted Fennel, Pomelo, and Salmon Platter Recipe

Succulent salmon meets the vibrant world of roasted fennel and pomelo in this elegant dish that dances across your palate.

The subtle anise notes of roasted fennel weave through delicate fish, creating a symphony of Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Bright, zesty pomelo adds a refreshing citrus punch that cuts through the rich salmon perfectly.

Fresh herbs scattered across the platter bring an aromatic dimension that awakens the senses.

Each bite promises a balanced blend of textures and tastes that feels both luxurious and surprisingly simple.

Seasonal ingredients transform this platter into a culinary experience you’ll want to savor slowly.

Dive into this recipe and let your taste buds embark on a delightful Mediterranean adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 3

Ingredients for the Roasted Fennel, Pomelo, and Salmon Platter

• Fennel: Brings a subtle anise-like sweetness and creates a delicate foundation for the dish, look for bulbs that are firm and white with no brown spots.
• Olive Oil: Helps achieve golden roasting and adds rich, smooth flavor, choose extra virgin for best taste and health benefits.
• Honey: Provides caramelization and gentle sweetness, select raw local honey for deeper flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens roasting and adds zesty tang, fresh-squeezed delivers superior citrus notes.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps fennel caramelize beautifully, sea salt provides more mineral complexity.

• Salmon Fillets: Delivers rich omega-3 fatty acids and tender texture, select wild-caught for superior flavor and sustainability.
• Black Pepper: Adds warmth and subtle heat, freshly ground offers more vibrant taste.

• Pomelo: Introduces refreshing citrus notes and light texture, choose fruits with smooth, unblemished skin.
• Fresh Thyme: Provides aromatic herbal essence, look for bright green leaves without wilting.
• Vinaigrette: Ties all flavors together with tangy brightness, homemade versions allow more flavor control.

Tools to Pull Off the Fennel, Pomelo & Salmon Spread

• Baking sheet: Essential for roasting fennel evenly and creating a crisp surface.
• Baking dish: Perfect for cooking salmon fillets with precision.
• Mixing bowl: Used to combine olive oil, honey, and lemon juice for brushing.
• Forks: Ideal for breaking salmon into delicate chunks.
• Sharp knife: Necessary for slicing fennel vertically and cutting pomelo into rounds.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurate seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Pastry brush: Great for evenly coating fennel with the olive oil mixture.

Plating Instructions for the Pomelo Fennel Salmon Plate

• Fennel Transformation

Slice fennel into elegant vertical pieces, creating delicate sections that will absorb beautiful flavors during roasting.

• Flavor Infusion

Craft a magical blend of olive oil, honey, and lemon juice to drench the fennel, awakening its natural sweetness and creating a golden caramelized exterior.

• Salmon Embrace

Gently nestle salmon fillets in a warm baking dish, allowing them to cook tenderly while absorbing subtle seasoning notes.

• Citrus Accent

Carefully segment pomelos, removing bitter membranes to reveal juicy, translucent sections that will brighten the entire dish.

• Artistic Plating

Layer roasted fennel as a soft foundation, crown with pomelo slices, scatter salmon chunks playfully across the surface, and finish with a whisper of fresh thyme for a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Roasted Salmon Tips with a Citrusy Spin

• Keep slices uniform in thickness to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning during roasting.
• Experiment with different herbs like dill or rosemary for varied flavor profiles, or swap salmon with arctic char or trout for a delightful twist.
• Use a sharp paring knife to carefully remove membrane and pith, maximizing sweet-tangy segments and minimizing bitterness.
• Let salmon rest for 2-3 minutes after baking to retain moisture and prevent drying out, ensuring a tender, flaky texture every time.
• Create a quick citrus dressing by mixing extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced shallots, and a touch of honey to complement the dish's bright flavors.

How to Present the Fennel Pomelo Salmon Perfectly

• Craft a Colorful Platter: Layer roasted fennel as a vibrant base, creating a stunning foundation that showcases the dish's beautiful textures and colors.
• Enhance with Citrus Brightness: Scatter pomelo slices across the platter to add a refreshing, tangy contrast that cuts through the rich salmon and caramelized fennel.
• Elevate with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle delicate thyme leaves over the dish, introducing an aromatic touch that complements the roasted ingredients and adds a burst of green.
• Create a Balanced Meal: Pair this platter with a light quinoa salad or crusty whole grain bread to round out the nutritious and flavorful dining experience.

Chill or Reheat? Storage Tips for Salmon Platters

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Slice fennel and segment pomelos up to 24 hours before cooking, storing them separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and save time during meal preparation.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store cooked salmon and roasted fennel in airtight containers for up to 3 days, keeping them separate to prevent flavor mixing and maintain individual ingredient textures.
• Reheat with Care: Gently warm salmon and fennel in the oven at 150°C for 5-7 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and preserve moisture, ensuring the dish tastes almost as good as freshly prepared.
• Freeze Smartly: While pomelo doesn't freeze well, you can freeze salmon portions for up to 1 month by wrapping individual fillets tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in freezer-safe bags, perfect for quick future meals.

Vibrant Roasted Fennel, Pomelo, And Salmon Platter Recipe

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4.9 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Sunset-inspired salmon with roasted fennel and pomelo creates Mediterranean magic on dinner plates. Fresh ingredients and simple techniques promise delicious results you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 salmon fillets (fresh)
• 1 fennel bulb, large (about 14 oz or 400 g)
• 2 pomelos, large, Corsican (or 1 if very large)
• 2 tbsps olive oil (for fennel)
• 1 tsp honey (for fennel)
• 0.25 lemon
• salt
• pepper
• thyme, fresh
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp mustard (strong)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 356°F (180°C) in traditional heating mode, setting the stage for a dynamic culinary experience.
2. Fennel Preparation: Trim fennel’s base and upper stalks, slicing vertically into thin 0.2-inch (0.5 cm) pieces and arranging on a baking sheet with precision.
3. Fennel Seasoning: Whisk extra virgin olive oil, golden honey, and fresh lemon juice to create a luminous glaze. Brush generously over fennel slices, sprinkling sea salt to amplify flavor complexity.
4. Roasting Process: Roast fennel for 35-40 minutes, rotating midway to achieve uniform caramelization and tender texture, developing rich golden edges.
5. Salmon Preparation: Place salmon fillets in a clean baking dish, drizzling with premium olive oil and seasoning with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt.
6. Protein Cooking: Bake salmon 12-14 minutes until it transforms into a flaky, opaque masterpiece with delicate internal structure.
7. Pomelo Integration: Segment pomelos with meticulous care, eliminating bitter white membrane to reveal vibrant, juicy fruit sections.
8. Platter Composition: Gently deconstruct salmon into rustic chunks using two forks, maintaining its intricate textural integrity.
9. Final Assembly: Layer roasted fennel as a foundational canvas, strategically positioning pomelo segments and salmon chunks for visual and gustatory harmony.
10. Finishing Touches: Conclude by drizzling light vinaigrette, scattering fresh thyme leaves, and applying final salt and pepper seasoning to elevate the dish’s flavor profile.

Notes

• Fennel Roasting Technique: Slice uniformly to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning, creating a sweet, tender texture.
• Salmon Cooking Precision: Monitor baking time closely to prevent overcooking, which can dry out the delicate fish and diminish its rich flavor.
• Pomelo Preparation Tip: Remove all white membrane thoroughly to eliminate bitter taste and showcase the fruit’s natural sweetness.
• Flavor Balancing Approach: Combine the anise-like fennel, citrusy pomelo, and rich salmon for a complex, harmonious taste experience that complements each ingredient’s unique profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 23g
• Cholesterol: 70mg