The Garlic-Butter Salmon I Love From Trader Joe's

Getting to Trader Joe’s from my neighborhood in Brooklyn is, frankly, a pilgrimage. The bus is both faraway and unreliable, and the bike ride is harrowing. But I’ll make the trek for one treasure: its single-serve frozen salmon.A chicly packed fillet with a couple of coins of compound butter atop, the salmon itself is rich and mildly sweet, and the butter—imbued with lemon juice and zest, plus garlic, parsley, and chives—makes the protein feel intentional, like you really put in some effort. (You didn’t.)At seven ounces, it’s just the right amount of fish when cooking for one (which happens a lot in my household). I just defrost the package in the fridge overnight, then set myself up nicely: the newest Below Deck season to watch while I cook, plus a crisp San Pellegrino Limonata in hand. I pat down the fillet with a paper towel and season it liberally with salt and cranks of pepper. It doesn’t need anything else.I’ve cooked it skin side down in a scorching cast-iron skillet, basting the salmon in the herby butter like I would a steak. The butter browns into pools of toasty goodness, adding even more umami to the fish. I’ve also tucked it into the oven with butter crowning the top and baked it ever so gently at 275°. The low temp and pads of fat make it impossible to overcook.I’ll serve my salmon with a mound of fluffy rice to catch every drop of sauce, plus a veg of sorts: dashi greens, grilled asparagus, or broccoli salad. And while the commute may be a slog, dinner never is.More TJ’sSpicy queso dip, hot honey mustard, cookie dough ice cream, and more.