If you are doing a whole side of salmon I would first keep the skin on, then prepare the following mixture, 500grams of coarse salt,200grams of sugar, the zest from10 lemons black peppercorns 10 grams,fennel seeds(10 grams put all of that in a bowl mix it well and apply all this mixture on the filet.Then place in the fridge for 36 hours.Then under cold water remove all the salt lemon mix outta there.It should work out pretty good.If you want to sear it make sure youre fish is patted dry and using a t-fal pan could be good in youre case.