prompter: How do I cook a salmon fillet on a stove top pan?

assistant: Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve perfectly cooked salmon:

Ingredients:

- Salmon fillet (with or without skin, according to your preference)
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil or another oil with a high smoke point (e.g., vegetable oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil)
- Optional: fresh herbs (e.g., dill, parsley, or thyme), lemon wedges, and butter for additional flavor

Instructions:

1. Prepare the salmon: Pat the salmon fillet dry with paper towels. This will help the fish cook evenly and develop a nice crust. Season both sides of the fillet with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Heat the pan: Place a non-stick or stainless-steel skillet over medium-high heat. Allow the pan to get hot before adding the oil.
3. Add oil to the pan: Add about 1-2 tablespoons of oil to the pan, ensuring the entire surface is coated. Allow the oil to heat until it starts shimmering but not smoking.
4. Cook the salmon: Carefully place the salmon fillet into the hot pan, skin-side down if it has skin. Press the fillet gently with a spatula to ensure even contact with the pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes without moving the fillet, allowing it to develop a nice crust.
5. Flip the fillet: Once the salmon has cooked about two-thirds of the way through and has a golden-brown crust, use a spatula to carefully flip it over. Cook the other side for another 2-4 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet and your desired doneness.
6. Optional - add flavorings: After flipping the salmon, you can add a couple of tablespoons of butter, fresh herbs, and lemon wedges to the pan for extra flavor. Baste the salmon with the melted butter and cook until your desired doneness is reached.
7. Check for doneness: Salmon is best when it is still slightly pink in the center and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should be about 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare or 145°F (63°C) for well-done, according to the US FDA guidelines.
8. Rest and serve: Remove the salmon from the pan and let it rest for a couple of minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a moist, tender fillet. Serve the salmon with your choice of sides and enjoy!

prompter: Looks good to me! Thanks for the assist!

assistant: No problem!  I hope your salmon fillet turns out to be succulent!

assistant: No problem, I'm happy to help! Tell me if you have any more questions.

assistant: Here is an example for a recipe for a salmon filet:

Ingredients:

1 salmon fillet
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
Instructions:

Season the salmon fillet with salt and pepper to taste.
Heat a large non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan.
Place the salmon fillet skin-side down into the pan. Use a spatula to press down gently on the fish to ensure that the skin makes good contact with the pan.
Cook the salmon for about 4-5 minutes on the skin side until it is crispy and golden brown. Then, use a spatula to carefully flip the salmon over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side until the fish is cooked through.
Remove the salmon fillet from the pan and transfer it to a plate. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the top, if desired.

Note: The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon fillet. If the fillet is thicker, you may need to cook it for a little longer. Additionally, you can add herbs or other seasonings to the salmon fillet before cooking it to give it additional flavor.

prompter: What exactly are Lemon wedges for serving ? Is it like an accessory to the salmon? If not what should I serve along with the salmon to really impress my date? And do you have some easy to make but tantalizing dessert options? I don't have a lot of time so I need it to be fast as well. Also the ingredients can't be hard to get I need to use standard supermarket ingredients!

assistant: Lemon wedges are just lemons, but quartered lengthwise. Freshly squeezed lemon adds bright notes of citrus to your food, but not everyone wants the same amount; lemon wedges allow you and your date to add just the right amount of lemon to your respective plates of salmon. They also improve the appearance of the dish for not much effort, which is definitely a plus if you're trying to impress your date. 
As for dessert, since you're low on time, have you considered making some meringues? All you need are egg whites and sugar, and they can be whipped up in under an hour. Go ahead and get your oven preheating to 225 F. Then, beat the egg whites until they start getting stiff (you'll want an electric beater for this). Gradually add sugar while continuing to beat the mixture until it starts forming stiff peaks. Grease up a baking tray however you usually do it, and using a spoon, place little dollops of the mixture on the baking tray with space in between them. Once the oven is ready, bake for half an hour or so, until the centers are fully dry.

assistant: Lemon wedges are commonly served as a garnish or accent for many dishes, including salmon. They add a bright and refreshing citrus flavor to the dish, and are often enjoyed by diners as well.

As for a dessert option, you could try making a simple chocolate mousse by whipping together some chocolate and heavy cream. It's quick and easy to do, and you can even top it with some fruits or other flavorful toppings to really elevate the presentation.