Sam Wood's Baked salmon with broccoli pesto
Baked salmon with broccoli pesto is a healthy main course where fresh salmon fillets are paired with a vibrant green pesto made from broccoli, capers, Parmesan and Greek yoghurt. The Thermomix TM7 blends the pesto to a silky consistency and steams the broccoli gently, preserving its colour and nutrients. A quick, balanced dinner rich in omega-3 and flavour.
About this recipe
Baked salmon with broccoli pesto in the Thermomix TM7 brings Sam Wood's healthy fitness philosophy straight into your kitchen as a quick weeknight dinner. Searching for salmon recipes for your all-in-one kitchen machine usually means compromising on freshness, but here the pesto is made entirely from scratch in one bowl: broccoli florets, baby pickled capers, a spring onion, garlic and grated Parmesan are blended with olive oil and Greek-style yoghurt into a vivid green sauce that tastes far brighter than anything from a jar. The salmon fillets are baked until just flaky and finished with spoonfuls of this creamy pesto, creating a main course that feels restaurant-worthy yet takes minimal effort. The yoghurt softens the pesto so it coats the fish beautifully without cream, keeping the meal light and high in protein. Serve it with extra steamed greens or crusty bread for a balanced family dinner that satisfies athletes and casual cooks alike.
Preparation tips
- Pat the salmon fillets dry before baking so the pesto adheres better and the fish develops a lightly golden surface rather than steaming in its own moisture.
- Choose small broccoli florets for the pesto so they break down quickly with the capers and Parmesan; reserve a few whole ones to serve alongside for colour and crunch.
- If you prefer a milder pesto, rinse the baby capers before adding them, and stir the Greek yoghurt in after blending rather than with the olive oil to keep the sauce extra fresh.
Recipe variations
- Lactose-free version: replace the Greek-style yoghurt with a lactose-free alternative and use a vegetarian hard cheese instead of Parmesan, keeping the broccoli-caper flavour base identical.
- Festive variation: swap the salmon for thick cod or sea bass fillets and add lemon zest plus toasted pine nuts over the broccoli pesto for an elegant dinner-party main.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Precision weighing in the TM7 bowl measures the olive oil and yoghurt exactly, so the broccoli pesto achieves a consistently creamy balance every time.
- Quick chopping reduces the spring onion and garlic to a fine base in seconds, releasing their aroma without any sticky knife work or tears.
- Gentle steaming of the broccoli florets in the Varoma keeps them bright green and tender before blending, locking in colour and bite.
- Even mixing blends the capers, Parmesan and broccoli into a silky pesto with uniform texture, far smoother than a food processor achieves.
- Controlled heating of the yoghurt-based sauce is managed at low temperature, preventing curdling while you finish baking the salmon fillets.
Ingredients
- Greek-style natural yoghurt
- garlic clove
- baby pickled capers
- water
- broccoli florets
- Parmesan cheese
- garlic cloves
- spring onion/shallot
- olive oil
- freshly squeezed lemon juice