Salmon en croute is an elegant dish that combines a delicate salmon fillet and flaky puff pastry. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any special occasion or dinner party. But what do you serve with it?
It can be tricky to come up with side dishes that balance out such a rich main course, but fear not! I’ve got fifteen delicious options here, ranging from classic sides like mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables to more unusual accompaniments like wilted spinach and roasted fennel. No matter your tastes, you’re sure to find something on this list that will perfectly complement your salmon en croute. Let’s get cooking!
What To Serve With Salmon En Croute?
Salmon en croute is a French dish consisting of salmon wrapped in puff pastry and baked. The best accompaniments for this entrée are typically vegetables such as roasted potatoes, carrots, or peas, along with sauces such as hollandaise or a béarnaise sauce. Other common sides include creamy mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. Additionally, dishes like a green salad with a vinaigrette dressing can provide a refreshing contrast to the rich salmon en croute.
1. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are an ideal match for the classic dish, Salmon en Croute. The creamy texture and comforting flavors of mashed potatoes nicely balance the bold aromatic notes from the salmon’s herbs and other accompanying ingredients. It can be an effortless side dish to prepare as well.
Start by boiling small red potatoes until tender, then mash them up with butter, salt, and pepper for the base flavor. From there, add cream or milk for extra creaminess, herbs like parsley or chives for a hint of green color and subtle herbiness and maybe even some garlic for a bit more depth of flavor.
A potentially delicious take on this classic side would be to try garlic mashed potatoes with dill and crème fraîche. Finally don’t forget to add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese–the complementary nutty flavor will really make your dish pop.
2. Roasted Beetroot Wedges
Roasted beetroot wedges are a delicious accompaniment to any salmon en croute. Beetroots are rich in flavour and packed with essential vitamins and minerals, so by serving them with the gastronomic delight of salmon en croute, you have a healthy yet scrumptious meal.
To prepare your roasted beetroot wedges, preheat your oven to 220°C then combine 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 teaspoons of caraway seeds in a large bowl. Add 3-4 medium-sized beetroots that you’ve peeled and chopped into wedges and toss everything together until the wedges are evenly coated with the mixture.
Spread the wedges over a baking sheet lined with baking paper and bake for 25 minutes or until the edges become crisp at a crispy golden colour. Enjoy your crunchy and flavoursome roasted beetroot wedges alongside some buttery salmon en croute – perfection on a plate.
3. Crushed New Potatoes
Crushed new potatoes is an easy, delicious side to pair with salmon en croute. For a more gourmet take on this simple side dish, try sautéing new potatoes in butter and chopped fresh herbs like chives, thyme, and parsley until golden brown. Finish the potatoes off by sprinkling over crushed pink peppercorns for an extra-special touch of flavor.
To make sure your crushed potatoes are perfectly cooked through each time, start them ahead of time and simmer them in salted water to soften them before adding to the pan to finish crisping up their outsides. Serve alongside your delicious en croute entrée with a green salad for a crowd-pleasing meal suitable for any occasion.
4. Sautéed Leeks
Sautéed leeks make a fantastic accompaniment to salmon en croute, as they provide a contrast in texture and flavor. They are easy to prepare as well; simply slice the leek lengthwise and then cut it into thin slices.
Next, fry the crushed garlic in olive oil for a few minutes. Add the leeks and cook for about five minutes until tender, stirring frequently. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste. For added flavor and texture, you can also throw in some butter or cream at the end of the cooking time.
5. Grilled Asparagus
Another easy yet tasty side to serve with salmon en croute is grilled asparagus. It’s a healthy, tasty choice that pairs especially well with the dense flavors of seafood.
When cooking it for this particular combination, there are several tips to keep in mind. First of all, it should be grilled quickly over high heat to ensure it retains its crunch and freshness.
Additionally, the asparagus should be well-oiled with a flavorful olive oil or herb butter prior to grilling. This will help it caramelize and become fragrant in the process. Lastly, grilled asparagus is best enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
6. Rice Pilaf
This might be a surprising choice, but rice pilaf is actually a great side dish to serve with salmon en croute. Rice pilaf uses long-grain white rice, which is cooked in a flavorful broth infused with herbs and spices.
To make the pilaf, start by toast the rice in a pan with butter or olive oil. Once the rice is lightly toasted, add your choice of broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until the rice is tender. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste for an aromatic accompaniment to your salmon.
7. Dauphinoise Potatoes
Dauphinoise potatoes are an indulgent combination of thinly-sliced potatoes, creamy Gruyère cheese, and savory cream sauce that creates a melt-in-your-mouth result. To make it even more special, top the dish with fresh herbs such as rosemary or chives.
To prepare Dauphinoise Potatoes for your Salmon en Croute dinner, begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit; then butter a deep baking dish. Then slice the potatoes thin and layer them in the baking dish with garlic and Gruyère cheese.
Finally, pour over a mixture of heavy cream, nutmeg, salt and pepper before baking uncovered for 45 minutes or until the potatoes are golden brown on the edges and tender throughout.
8. Wilted Baby Spinach with Garlic and Oil
For a side dish that is both light and flavorful, try wilted baby spinach with garlic and oil. To make this tasty accompaniment, begin by heating two tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan. Add thinly sliced garlic and cook for one minute over medium heat.
Then, add several handfuls of washed baby spinach leaves and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook down until the spinach has just wilted, stirring occasionally – cooking time should only be about three minutes maximum.
Finally, sprinkle on freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving alongside your delicious salmon en croute entrée.
9. Balsamic Roasted Fennel and Carrots
For those who love the sweet and sour taste of balsamic vinegar, this roasted vegetable side dish is sure to be a hit. When cut into thin wedges, fennel provides sweet licorice-like flavor that mellows out with roasting while those caramelized carrots add a subtle earthiness.
The combination of these two vegetables creates the ideal accompaniment to salmon, nicely highlighting the salmon’s buttery texture.
To prepare this side dish, simply toss thin wedges of fennel and carrots in some olive oil and salt and pepper, then add a few tablespoons of balsamic vinegar for sweetness. Finally, roast these veggies at 400°F for about 40 minutes until lightly browned, stirring occasionally so all sides get golden brown evenly.
10. Ratatouille
This French classic is a favorite among health-conscious eaters, thanks to its mix of slow-cooked vegetables that are packed with antioxidants and vitamins. It features onion, garlic, eggplant, bell peppers and zucchini in a savory tomato sauce.
For the best flavor, sauté the vegetables in olive oil with fresh herbs like thyme and oregano before adding plum tomatoes and simmering until everything is perfectly cooked and saucy. The combination of creamy crêpe encasing succulent salmon paired with aromatic ratatouille provides the perfect balance of flavors.
You may also want to add one more layer of flavor by serving crusty bread to soak up all the deliciousness.
What Sauce To Serve With Salmon En Croute?
To make this meal complete, it’s important to choose sauces and side dishes that will enhance the flavors of your entrée. Here are some delicious options for sauces and sides to serve with your Salmon en Croute dinner.
11. Hollandaise Sauce
Hollandaise sauce provides the perfect contrast to the rich, savory flavors of salmon en croute. It is creamy and buttery with a hint of brightness from the tart lemon juice. It complements the crust that encases the fish, and provides balance to each bite.
When making hollandaise sauce for salmon en croute, make sure to keep your heat low otherwise you risk scrambling your egg yolks. Slowly adding cold butter is also key for a velvety sauce – adding it too quickly will result in an inconsistent texture.
Careful timing and attention are needed when preparing hollandaise sauce, but with just a few simple steps you can have a classic side dish guaranteed to please.
12. Lemon Dill Sauce
This condiment is simple yet tantalizing – all you need is some fresh dill, mayonnaise or sour cream, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Start by mincing or grinding the dill leaves to release their fragrant aroma and taste.
Combine this with the mayonnaise or sour cream, along with added lemon juice to your desired acidity. If you’d like an even thicker consistency, try reducing it on low heat until it reaches your desired texture. Serve over the salmon en croute dish and enjoy – the tart yet vibrant flavors of this sauce will heighten every bite.
13. Béarnaise Sauce
Similiar to hollandaise sauce, béarnaise is made from egg yolks, butter, and tarragon and has a slightly more acidic taste than its regular counterpart. If you want to try making the sauce for your salmon en croute dish, you’ll need white wine vinegar (or another mild vinegar), shallots, dry tarragon, peppercorns, fresh chervil or tarragon leaves (optional), melted unsalted butter, and a few egg yolks.
To make the sauce: mix together all the ingredients in a small pan and then heat gently. Keep stirring until you have a thick and creamy consistency. For best results be sure not to let the mixture get too hot; otherwise, the egg yolks will separate.
14. Creamy Mustard Sauce
A creamy mustard sauce is ideal for this dish as its creamy texture and subtle sweetness complement the salmon’s delicate flavor profile. Making your own creamy mustard sauce at home is easy enough, just combine equal parts Dijon mustard, cream, and white wine then let simmer until thickened.
To enhance the flavor even further, feel free to add crushed garlic cloves or shallots to the mixture. Serve it with your salmon en croute for an added touch of exquisite flavor that will have everyone reaching for more.
15. Mango Salsa
For a dish packed with flavor and life, try pairing your salmon en croute with mango salsa. This tasty salsa is easy to make and requires just a few ingredients such as mango, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. When it comes to preparing the mangoes for your salsa, make sure to dice them small enough so that they can be easily enjoyed in each bite.
Other optional ingredients you can add are jalapeno pepper for a kick of heat or chives for a bit of oniony flavor. To finish off the salsa mix all your diced ingredients together in one bowl before tossing them with some freshly squeezed lime juice and seasonings like garlic powder or paprika if desired.
Conclusion
Salmon en croute is a delicious main course that will impress your guests. These fifteen side dishes and sauces provide plenty of options for creating a flavorful and balanced meal. Whether you opt for a classic mashed potato or something more exotic, like balsamic roasted fennel and carrots, these sides will be sure to complement your salmon en croute.
