Cooking a whole side of salmon might seem daunting, but this simple recipe loaded with great flavours, is a fabulously easy way to do so with confidence and it makes a great starter for a Christmas Day get-together.

Ingredients

• 1 whole side salmon
• 1 lime, finely sliced
• ¼ cup avocado oil
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed, peeled and sliced
• 3cm piece fresh ginger, finely sliced
• 2 tablespoons grated palm or brown sugar
• ½-1 teaspoon coarsley ground white peppercorns
• ½ cup fresh white breadcrumbs

Avocado and lime dressing

• ½ cup avocado oil, preferably with lime
• grated rind of 1 lime or lemon
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
• 2-3 anchovy fillets in oil, well drained
• 2 tablespoons white wine or balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons grated palm or brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon wholeseed mustard

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 220ºC or 200ºC fan bake. Line a large baking tray with foil or baking paper.
2. Using tweezers, pull out the pin bones. Place the salmon skin side down on the prepared tray. Fold the thin tail end underneath to make an even thickness through the length of the salmon. Place the lime slices down the centre of the fillets, overlapping the slices.
3. Heat the oil, garlic and ginger in a small frying pan or saucepan and cook over a moderate heat for 4-5 minutes until very fragrant. Add the palm sugar, white pepper and breadcrumbs and toss to coat in the oil. Scatter the oil and breadcrumb mixture over the salmon.
4. Bake in the middle of the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove and set aside for 2-3 minutes before serving hot or alternatively cover and serve wam with Avocado and Lime Dressing.

Avocado and lime dressing

1. Mix all the ingredients in a small processor and process until smooth.

Cooks Tips

- Fresh whole sides of salmon - which weigh around 1-1.25 kilograms - can be purchased (and even pin-boned) at the fish counter; work on about 100-150 grams per person.