Lemon-Saffron Salmon With Dill Rice

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400°. Pat four 6–8 oz. skin-on salmon fillets dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Place in a large glass or ceramic baking dish; drizzle with 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil and season all over with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Rub salmon to coat and arrange skin side down.

Step 2

Crush 1 tsp. saffron threads in a mortar and pestle (a small bowl and the handle of a wooden spoon also work well) until it’s mostly powder (it’s okay if it’s not perfectly powdery). Transfer to a small bowl and pour in 1 Tbsp. plus 1½ tsp. warm water. Stir until an intense sunset-orange hue and most of the saffron is dissolved (it will look like little crimson dots floating in an orange pool). Cut 2 lemons in half and squeeze juice into bowl, using your hand or a sieve to catch any seeds. Pour liquid over salmon, then turn fillets skin side up. Let sit at room temperature at least 15 minutes or until you’re at a stopping point with the rice.

Step 3

While the salmon is marinating, make the rice. Using a chef’s knife, finely chop 1 cup dill leaves with tender stems as small as possible; set aside. Place 1 cup high-quality basmati rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water, using your hand to agitate rice until water runs mostly clear. Shake off excess water.

Step 4

Transfer rice to a small saucepan and add remaining 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and 2 cups room-temperature water; stir to combine with a wooden spoon. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and stir in reserved dill. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the water is absorbed and rice is mostly tender with a still-hard center, 5–8 minutes. (Taste a few grains to check!)

Step 5

While the rice is cooking, cover saucepan lid with a kitchen towel, securing it at the top with a rubber band or an elastic so that it won’t fall down. (A sheet or two of paper towels, making sure the sides won’t drape down near any flames, will also work.)

Step 6

Reduce heat to low. Cover rice with towel-lined lid and cook until tender and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and let sit, covered, at least 5 minutes or until ready to serve.

Step 7

While the rice steams, cook the fish. Turn fillets skin side down and roast until exterior is opaque and interior is a light pink, 15–18 minutes.

Step 8

Coarsely chop ¼ cup parsley leaves with tender stems. Cut remaining 1 lemon into quarters. Spoon 1 cup plain thick yogurt (such as labneh, skyr, or Greek) into a bowl.

Step 9

Divide rice among plates and top with salmon; sprinkle parsley over. Serve with lemon wedges and yogurt alongside, as well as any leftover sauce in the baking dish.