Firecracker Salmon - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 cup maple syrup
1 medium jalapeno, cut in half width-wise
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 (6 ounce) fillets salmon fillets
salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons maple syrup

Preparation

Combine 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/2 of the jalapeno pepper, garlic, vinegar, salt, and black pepper in a mini food processor or small blender jar; blend until smooth.
Place salmon fillets in a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag. Pour marinade on top, seal, and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Remove from refrigerator and let the bag sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Remove salmon from marinade and pat dry. Place salmon on the prepared baking sheet and season with additional salt and pepper. Slice remaining jalapeno pepper thinly and place on top of salmon.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Brush 2 teaspoons maple syrup onto the fillets and return to the hot oven. Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, an additional 3 to 5 minutes.