Preheat oven to 400° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat lightly with nonstick spray (or use parchment paper).
Place salmon skin-side down on the prepared pan. Season the top of each fillet with plenty of salt and pepper. Sprinkle with garlic powder.
In a small bowl, stir together Dijon mustard and brown sugar until smooth. Spread the Dijon mixture on top of each salmon fillet.
Roast in the oven for 8-11 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. For a crispy, browned exterior, place the salmon under the broiler during the final 1-2 minutes of cooking time. Just make sure that you keep a close eye on it so that the sugars don’t burn.
Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh herbs, if desired.
Notes
Scale the recipe up or down according to the size of your family. For instance, I cook 5 fillets for our family, while you might need just two. If you're using less than 3 or 4 fillets, you can make half as much glaze.
You don't need to use all of the brown sugar glaze on your fish. Adjust the amount of seasoning and the amount of glaze to suit your taste.
To achieve a crisp exterior, transfer the salmon to the broiler at about the 8-minute mark. Broil for a couple more minutes, until the top is nicely browned and the salmon is cooked through.
Total roasting time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your fillets. You know the fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to overcook the salmon or it will become dry.
Garnish with lemon wedges and your favorite fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, thyme or chives. These add a nice, bright, colorful finishing touch.