Barefoot Contessa Poached Salmon Food

SALMON & MELTING CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium (10-inch) saute pan. Add the onion and saute over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very tender but not browned. Add the garlic and saute for 1 more minute. Stir in the tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid evaporates and the tomato sauce thickens slightly. Off the heat, stir in the vinegar and basil.
• Meanwhile, place a large (12-inch) cast-iron pan over high heat for 5 minutes. Brush the salmon all over with olive oil, sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper, and place it skin side up in the pan. Cook the fish for 3 to 4 minutes without moving them, until browned. Turn the salmon skin side down with a small metal spatula and transfer the pan to the oven for 8 minutes. (The salmon will not be completely cooked through.) Remove the fish to a serving platter, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
• Reheat the tomatoes, season to taste, and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature along with the salmon.

COLD-POACHED SALMON NICOISE SALAD WITH CRISPY POTATOES

Steps:

• For the salmon: Add the wine, Dijon mustard, dill sprigs and 1 cup of water to a large straight-sided skillet. Squeeze the juice from the halved lemon into the skillet and then add in the lemon halves. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Sprinkle the salmon with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Once the liquid is simmering, gently add the salmon, skin-side-down, and turn the heat to low. Place the lemon slices on top of the salmon, cover the pan and cook for 10 minutes. Turn the heat off and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. The salmon should easily flake apart with a fork. Carefully remove the salmon from the liquid and set on a plate. Cool completely.
• For the dressing: Add the vinegar, oil, dill, mustard, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to a glass jar with a lid. Cover and shake to emulsify. Set aside until ready to assemble the salad.
• For the salad: Add the potatoes to a large saucepan and add enough cold water to cover the potatoes by 4-inches. Add a big pinch of salt and heat over medium high heat. Bring the potatoes to a boil and let cook until the potatoes are fork tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the potatoes to a plate. Reserve the pot with boiling water to use to cook the eggs and haricot vert.
• Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Bring the water back up to a boil, then add your eggs and cook for 7 minutes. Remove the eggs to the ice bath. Bring the water back up to a boil and add the haricot vert. Cook until they are tender-crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove the haricot vert to the ice bath. Drain and cut them into thirds and set aside until ready to assemble. Remove the eggs from the ice bath, peel and set aside.
• Using the flat base of a measuring cup or a glass, lightly smash the potatoes to expose some of the flesh. Sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Carefully add the potatoes into the pan, seasoning side down. Sprinkle the exposed side of the potatoes and cook until they are crispy and golden brown in places, about 4 minutes per side. Some potatoes may break apart, that's totally fine! Remove to a plate and set aside until ready to assemble.
• To assemble the salad: Arrange the frisee and romaine leaves on a large platter. Drizzle about half of the dressing and toss to coat. Top the lettuce with the crispy potatoes, haricot vert, tomatoes and olives. Flake the cooled salmon into large pieces and scatter it on top of the salad. Slice the eggs in half and nestle into the salad. Drizzle on the remaining dressing and serve.

TRADITIONAL POACHED SALMON

Steps:

• Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon fillets and season with some sea salt and white pepper. Set aside.
• Fill a high-sided large skillet one-third of the way up with water. Add the wine and lemon halves. Bring to a low simmer, add the salmon and let cook until firm to the touch, 5 to 7 minutes for medium. For well-done salmon, cook for 10 minutes.
• Serve garnished with the lemon wedges and parsley.

ROASTED SALMON WITH GREEN HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Place the salmon fillet in a glass, ceramic, or stainless-steel roasting dish and season it generously with salt and pepper. Whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice and drizzle the mixture evenly over the salmon. Let it stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, stir together the scallions, dill, and parsley. Scatter the herb mixture over the salmon fillet, turning it so that both sides are generously coated with the green herbs. Pour the wine around the fish fillet.
• Roast the salmon for 10 to 12 minutes, until almost cooked in the center at the thickest part. The center will be firm with just a line of uncooked salmon in the very center. (I peek by inserting the tip of a small knife.) Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
• Cut the salmon crosswise into serving pieces and serve hot with lemon wedges.

FRESH DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the mayonnaise, sour cream, yogurt, cream cheese, scallions, dill, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Puree for a few seconds, until well mixed. Add the cucumber and puree for another few seconds, until combined. Pour into a container and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to develop.

SALMON CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the salmon on a sheet pan, skin side down. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until just cooked. Remove from the oven and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 10 minutes and refrigerate until cold.
• Meanwhile, place 2 tablespoons of the butter, 2 tablespoons olive oil, the onion, celery, red and yellow bell peppers, parsley, capers, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, crab boil seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large saute pan over medium-low heat and cook until the vegetables are soft, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
• Break the bread slices in pieces and process the bread in a food processor fitted with a steel blade. You should have about 1 cup of bread crumbs. Place the bread crumbs on a sheet pan and toast in the oven for 5 minutes until lightly browned, tossing occasionally.
• Flake the chilled salmon into a large bowl. Add the bread crumbs, mayonnaise, mustard, and eggs. Add the vegetable mixture and mix well. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Shape into 10 (2 1/2 to 3-ounce) cakes.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. In batches, add the salmon cakes and fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until browned. Drain on paper towels; keep them warm in a preheated 250 degree F oven and serve hot.

ROASTED SALMON WITH GREEN HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Place the salmon fillet in a glass, ceramic, or stainless-steel roasting dish and season it generously with salt and pepper. Whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice and drizzle the mixture evenly over the salmon. Let it stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, stir together the scallions, dill, and parsley. Scatter the herb mixture over the salmon fillet, turning it so that both sides are generously coated with the green herbs. Pour the wine around the fish fillet.
• Roast the salmon for 10 to 12 minutes, until almost cooked in the center at the thickest part. The center will be firm with just a line of uncooked salmon in the very center. (I peek by inserting the tip of a small knife.) Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Cut the salmon crosswise into serving pieces and serve hot with lemon wedges.

SALMON WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Have the fishmonger cut the head and tail off the salmon and butterfly it, removing all the bones. You should have about 7 pounds of salmon.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Saute the onions and fennel in the olive oil for 10 minutes on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Add the thyme leaves, fennel fronds, orange zest, orange juice, salt, and pepper and saute for 5 more minutes, until the onions and fennel are tender. Taste for salt and pepper.
• Lay the salmon, skin side down, on a cutting board and sprinkle both sides generously with salt and pepper. Spread the fennel filling over half of the salmon. Pull the other half up and over the filling, enclosing it. Tie the salmon every 2 inches with kitchen string to secure the stuffing.
• Place a sheet pan lined with parchment paper in the oven for 5 minutes to heat it. Carefully transfer the salmon to the hot sheet pan and bake it for exactly 30 minutes (10 minutes for each 1-inch of thickness). Do not overbake!
• Allow to cool slightly, then remove the strings. To serve, cut into thick slices with a very sharp knife. This salmon is delicious hot or at room temperature.
• Note: If you're making this in advance, be sure to cool the filling before stuffing the salmon. Refrigerate until ready to roast.

POACHED SALMON

Steps:

• Combine the stock, wine, thyme, garlic, shallot and lemon zest in a wide, deep pan and bring to a simmer. Add the salmon, a pinch of salt and a grind of pepper. Partially cover and simmer until the salmon is fully cooked, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Serve with an arugula salad, lemon slices and olive oil drizzled on top.

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S HERB-ROASTED SALMON

Steps:

• 1. Place the salmon fillet in a nonreactive roasting dish and season it generously with salt and pepper. Whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice and drizzle the mixture evenly over the salmon. Let it stand at room temperature to marinate for 15 minutes. 2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. 3. In a bowl, stir together the scallions, dill, and parsley. Scatter the herb mixture over the salmon fillet, turning it so that both sides become generously coated with the green herbs. Pour the wine over and around the fish fillet. 4. Roast the salmon for 10 to 12 minutes, until almost cooked in the center at the thickest part. Remove from the oven and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 10 minutes. Cut the salmon across into serving pieces and serve hot with lemon wedges.

SIMPLE POACHED SALMON

Steps:

• In a large, deep, straight-sided skillet or heavy pot, combine carrots, celery, onion, lemon, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 6 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook 8 minutes.
• Season salmon with salt and gently lower into simmering liquid (liquid should just cover fish). Reduce to a very gentle simmer. Cover and cook until salmon is opaque throughout, about 5 minutes (longer for thicker fillets). Using a wide slotted spatula, remove salmon from liquid.