Blackened Salmon With Lima Bean Smashed Potatoes Food

BLACKENED SALMON WITH SPINACH AND BLACK-EYED PEAS

Steps:

• Season the salmon on both sides with salt, pepper and the Cajun seasoning; set aside. (If your Cajun seasoning contains salt, do not season the salmon with additional salt.) Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the celery and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until the celery starts to soften, about 4 minutes. Stir in 2 sliced scallions and the garlic; cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add the black-eyed peas and chicken broth. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then uncover and reduce to a simmer. Mash about 1/4 cup of the beans against the side of the pan with a wooden spoon. Simmer until the broth is thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Rub the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil all over the salmon. Add to the skillet, curved-side down; reduce the heat to medium high and cook until blackened on the bottom, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip, reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until browned on the other side, 2 to 3 minutes for medium rare to medium.
• Add the spinach and hot sauce to the beans; stir until wilted, about 30 seconds. Add more salt and pepper, if needed. Divide the beans and salmon among shallow bowls. Top with the remaining sliced scallion.

LEMON SALMON WITH LIMA BEANS

Steps:

• Slice 1 lemon half into 4 thin rounds and set aside. Grate the zest of the other lemon half and set aside; squeeze some of the juice into a bowl and mix in the yogurt and 1/4 teaspoon paprika. Preheat the broiler. Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add the lima beans, 1 1/2 cups water and the lemon zest; partially cover the pan, bring to a simmer and cook until the beans are tender, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley, 1 tablespoon of the yogurt mixture and the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil. Meanwhile, mix the remaining 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Sprinkle all over the salmon; arrange on a foil-lined baking sheet and top each fillet with a lemon slice. Broil until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve with the lima beans and top with the yogurt mixture.
• Photograph by Antonis Achilleos

BLACKENED SALMON WITH SPINACH AND SOY BLACK BEANS (FIVE-MINUTE MEAL IN A PAN!)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large heavy saute pan or iron skillet over high heat until almost smoking hot.
• Coat the salmon fillets well on both sides with the blackening spice and place gently in the hot pan. Sear on the first side for about 2 minutes and then flip fish over. Add the black beans to 1 corner of the pan and throw in the fresh spinach and butter right on top of everything and cook it all for about 2 minutes more.
• To serve, take the spinach off the top and place it on the bottom of a plate. Then arrange the salmon and black beans around it. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.
• Mix all the blackening spice ingredients well and store in a sealed container or spice canister. Keep extra as a versatile spice in your kitchen.

BLACKENED SALMON FILLETS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, white pepper, black pepper, thyme, basil and oregano.
• Brush salmon fillets on both sides with 1/4 cup butter, and sprinkle evenly with the cayenne pepper mixture. Drizzle one side of each fillet with 1/2 remaining butter.
• In a large, heavy skillet over high heat, cook salmon, butter side down, until blackened, 2 to 5 minutes. Turn fillets, drizzle with remaining butter, and continue cooking until blackened and fish is easily flaked with a fork.