Johns First Date Salmon Food

CHEF JOHN'S SALMON

Steps:

• Season salmon fillets with kosher salt. Line a baking baking sheet with foil and brush lightly with vegetable oil.
• Preheat oven's broiler on high and set the oven rack about 8 inches from the heat source.
• Process garlic, tarragon, and parsley in a blender or mortar and pestle to form a loose paste.
• Mix mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper into garlic paste until combined.
• Place salmon fillets skin side down on the baking sheet. Spoon herb spread over the top and sides of each fillet.
• Cook under the preheated broiler until fillets are well-browned, about 5 minutes. Turn the broiler off and turn the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake until the internal temperature of the salmon is 130 degrees F (55 degrees C) and salmon flakes easily with a fork, about 3 to 4 minutes.

7-MINUTE SALMON PICCATA

Steps:

• Season salmon with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Sprinkle flour onto one side of each fillet and pat gently onto the fish.
• Heat clarified butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon, floured side down, and let sear for 2 ½ minutes. Flip and sear the other side for 2 minutes. Remove to a plate and cover with foil.
• Add capers to the skillet and press with the back of a fork to gently mash. Pour in wine and lemon juice; add lemon zest. Swirl the pan to combine. Let reduce by half, about 1 minute.
• Reduce heat to low and add butter; swirl the pan or stir with a spoon or spatula until butter is almost fully melted. Transfer salmon and any accumulated juices from the plate back into the skillet. Allow butter to fully melt while spooning sauce over salmon.
• Pour in water to thin sauce if needed; continue to spoon sauce over salmon and cook until salmon is fully cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the fillets should read about 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Sprinkle parsley over top.
• Remove from heat and transfer to a serving plate; spoon pan sauce over salmon.

CHEF JOHN'S FRESH SALMON CAKES

Steps:

• Heat extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion, red pepper, celery, and a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add capers; cook and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
• Stir salmon, onion mixture, mayonnaise, 1/4 cup bread crumbs, garlic, mustard, cayenne, seafood seasoning, salt, and ground black pepper together in a bowl until well-mixed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firmed and chilled, 1 to 2 hours.
• Form salmon mixture into four 1-inch thick patties; sprinkle remaining panko bread crumbs over each patty.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-heat. Cook patties in hot oil until golden and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

CHEF JOHN'S SALMON CAKES

Steps:

• Stir salmon, eggs, lemon juice, capers, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until well-combined.
• Crush saltine crackers with your hands into the salmon mixture and mix well. Wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate, 30 minutes to overnight.
• Dust a plate with half the bread crumbs. Divide salmon mixture into 4 portions and shape into patties; place onto prepared plate and sprinkle remaining bread crumbs atop the salmon patties.
• Melt butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook patties in hot oil until cooked and heated through, about 5 minutes per side.

QALIYEH-E KHORMA (SPICY SWEET-AND-SOUR SALMON WITH DATES)

Steps:

• Onion, Cucumber, and Coriander Pickles:
• In a medium-sized skillet over low heat, toast the coriander seeds, shaking the skillet constantly until the aroma rises. Remove from heat and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, place the onion, salt, and coriander seeds, and toss. Add the cucumber and pour the vinegar over it. Toss well and set aside.
• Do Ahead: This pickle can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• For the fish:
• In a small bowl, mix together all the dusting ingredients and set aside.
• Rinse the fish and pat dry. Place fillets on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
• Dust both sides of the fish fillets and arrange on the sheet pan. Cover and keep cool until ready to cook.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in wide, non-stick skillet a over high heat until very hot, but not smoking. Sear the fish until brown on both sides (about 1 minute on each side). Remove the fish from heat and set aside.
• In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons oil, reduce heat to medium heat, add the garlic and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown.
• Add the vinegar, molasses, cayenne, and fenugreek leaves, and give it a stir. Return the fish to the pan and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes over low heat until the fish is tender and the sauce has thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste. Add the dates, cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Serve over rice, with a bowl of fresh herbs and the onion and cucumber pickle.