Apple Braised Salmon With Citrus Spiced Couscous Food

SPICE & HONEY SALMON WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Zest and juice 1 lemon, then mix the zest and ½ the juice with the spice, garlic, ½ the spring onions and 2 tsp oil. Season well. Put the salmon into a shallow dish, spoon over the marinade, then leave for 10 mins to let the flavours mingle.
• Meanwhile, put the couscous in a large bowl. Tip in the remaining lemon juice and oil, spring onions and 150ml boiling water, then cover and leave to stand.
• Lift the salmon onto a foil-lined baking tray, spoon over any leftover marinade, then roast for 15 mins. With 5 mins to go, pull out the baking tray and spoon 1 tsp clear honey over each fillet.
• Add the mint to the couscous and fluff it up with a fork. Serve the salmon with the couscous, spoon over the juices from the baking tray and add lemon wedges.

APPLE CIDER-GLAZED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Fit a baking sheet with a wire rack.
• In a medium saute pan, heat the butter and canola oil over medium heat. Season the salmon with salt and pepper on both sides and cook on one side until light golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the fillets, then add the apple cider and shallots and raise the heat to medium high to bring the liquid to a simmer. Cook the fish another 2 minutes, then gently remove the fillets to the rack and transfer to the oven. Bake 8 to 10 minutes for medium rare.
• Meanwhile, continue simmering the pan sauce over medium-low heat, whisking often, until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the honey and mustard and continue to simmer until slightly reduced, 2 to 4 minutes more. Whisk in the creme fraiche and simmer, whisking often, until the sauce is thick and glossy and coats the back of a spoon, 3 to 5 minutes more. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding apple cider vinegar as desired.
• Transfer the salmon to serving plates and spoon the sauce over the fish. Garnish with the tarragon, mint, chives and jalapeños.

SPICED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Toast and chop cashews or pistachios.
• Melt 1/4 c butter in medium saucepan over low heat.
• Add spices and cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add stock and currants.
• Can be prepared 4 hours ahead, bring to boil.
• Mix in couscous and 2 tbsps.
• butter.
• Cover and remove from heat.
• Let stand 5 minutes.
• Fluff with fork; season with salt.
• Transfer couscous to bowl, add nuts and toss well.

HARISSA ROAST SALMON WITH LEMON CHICKPEA COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan, add the onions, fennel, garlic and cumin seeds and fry, stirring frequently, for about 15 mins until the vegetables are soft and golden. Stir in the lemon zest and season. Leave to cool.
• Stir the harissa with the agave or honey. Place a salmon fillet, skinned-side down, on a large sheet of baking parchment and spread with half the harissa mixture. Top evenly with the vegetables, then cover with the other salmon fillet, positioning it so that the thickest end is on top of the thinnest end of the other fillet. Can be made up to this point, covered and chilled the day before.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 with a large baking sheet inside. Brush the salmon with the rest of the harissa mixture, then lift (still on the parchment) onto the hot baking sheet and bake for 30 mins. Remove from the oven and check that the fish is cooked all the way through; if not done to your liking, cook 5 mins more and check again.
• To make the couscous, crumble the stock cube into a large bowl and add the harissa, currants and couscous. Meanwhile, put the chickpeas in a bowl with the lemon juice, oil and seasoning. Just before serving, pour 450ml boiling water over the couscous, stir well, then cover with a plate and leave to soak for 5 mins. Add the lemon zest, parsley and mint (if using) to the chickpeas and stir well, then toss through the hot couscous with the flaked almonds. Serve on a big, warm platter with the salmon (the easiest way to transfer the salmon is to lift it still on the parchment, then slide it on top), with lemon wedges on the side. To serve, cut the salmon in slices, or cut thicker slices and halve to make chunky squares.

APPLE & HORSERADISH-GLAZED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Combine apple jelly, chives, horseradish, vinegar,and 1/4 tsp salt, stirring well with whisk.
• Sprinkle salmon with 1/4 tsp salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Add salmon, and cook 3 minutes. Turn salmon over; brush with half of apple mixture.
• Pour salmon and juices into baking dish; bake at 350°F for 7 minutes and turn fillets over and brush with mixture again. Bake 7 more minutes.

SPICED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring stock, currants, salt and allspice to boil.
• Add couscous and boil 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat, cover and let stand 5 minutes.
• Fluff with fork and serve.

CEDAR PLANK BRAIDED SALMON WITH APPLE BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• To prepare Apple Butter Sauce: blend the mayo, butter and tarragon in a bowl and chill until serving time. Makes 2 cups Apple Butter Sauce.
• Fillet the salmon, removing all the bones.
• Remove the skin and pin bones.
• Oil the cedar planks and place the salmon on it.
• Slice through the salmon, from the wide end, lengthwise, to about 2 inches from the tail end.
• Repeat this motion to cut a total of seven strips that are each about 1/2" to 3/4" wide.
• Keep the tail end intact.
• Where the fish is intact at tail end, strips will be narrower.
• Measure out half of the maple syrup and reserve.
• Combine remaining maple syrup with whiskey, or liqueur.
• Brush whiskey mixture all over salmon strips to generously coat.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• To braid: Mentally label the strips starting from the left as numbers 1 through 7.
• Starting with strip number 4 lift it over strips 1 through 3, so that it is now on the outside left-hand side.
• Next, take strip number 3 and lift it over strips 5 through 7 (to the right side).
• Now, start again, renumbering the strips from 1 through 7.
• Again, lift (the new) strip number 4 to the far left and (the new) strip number 3 to the right.
• Continue in this manner until you have braided the whole length of fish.
• Repeat braiding steps for second fillet.
• Pat the braided fish into one compact length.
• Either skewer the loose ends together or simply press together to keep in place.
• At this point, the planked, braided salmon can be set on a backing sheet, covered and chilled overnight.
• To finish the salmon: pour the maple butter and reserved syrup generously over the salmon; use a pastry brush to force the liquid into nooks and crannies.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat BBQ to medium heat, or oven to 350°F.
• To Barbeque the Salmon: Place the plank on a grill, over medium heat, on the upper rack, if your bbq has one.
• Close lid (or cover salmon with foil roasting pan).
• Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork and internal temp for the fish reaches 120°F.
• Alternatively: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• To roast the salmon in the oven, place the plank on a foil lined, rimmed baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes.
• Remove plank and salmon from heat.
• Dust salmon liberally with maple sugar.
• Salmon may be served hot or cold right from the plank.
• Garnish with fresh herbs if using.
• Serve with chilled Apple Butter Sauce.