Pan Fried Salmon With Cannellini Bean Purée Food

PAN-ROASTED SALMON WITH FENNEL PUREE

Steps:

• For the fennel: In a medium saucepan, cover the fennel with cold salted water. Place over high heat, bring to a boil, and then lower to a simmer. Cook until very tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well and place in a food processor. Add the olive oil, yogurt and salt. Puree until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
• For the salmon: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the salmon fillets with the salt. Place the fillets in the pan, flesh-side down, and sear undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes to create a golden brown crust. Gently flip, and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Salad: In a small bowl, mix together the chopped fennel fronds and parsley and the crispy capers.
• To plate, spread a little of the fennel puree on each of 4 plates. Top with a salmon fillet. Place a little salad on top of each salmon. Squeeze a bit of lemon over the top if desired. Serve immediately.
• Heat 1/4-inch vegetable oil in a small, straight-sided skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers when swirled. (You can make sure the oil is hot enough by adding one caper to the oil; if it immediately starts to sizzle and pop, the oil is hot enough.) Add the capers to the hot oil and fry until they have popped open and turned golden brown and crispy, about 1 minute. With a slotted spoon, remove the capers to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.

PAN-FRIED SALMON WITH CANNELLINI BEAN PURéE

Steps:

• Reserve a few rocket leaves for serving then put the remaining rocket, spinach and watercress in a salad bowl. Add the cherry tomatoes and set aside.
• To make the cannellini bean purée, put the beans, garlic, lemon juice, thyme, oil and 2 tablespoons of water in a food processor or blender. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, then process to a smooth, soft purée. Add a little more water, if necessary. Transfer to a saucepan and heat gently for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until piping hot. Alternatively, put the purée in a microwaveable bowl, cover and cook on high for about 4 minutes, stirring halfway through, until piping hot. Let stand for 1 minute before serving.
• Meanwhile, to cook the salmon fillets, heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan. Add the garlic and fry gently for 1 minute. Add the salmon and cook for 5-8 minutes, turning once halfway through.
• Drizzle the salad with a little balsamic vinegar, season to taste with salt and pepper and toss well. Put a spoonful of cannellini bean purée on each of 4 warmed serving plates. Put the reserved rocket leaves on top, followed by the salmon. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately with the salad.
• Variation: The bean purée would be delicious with most grilled foods. Try chicken, turkey, large prawns or tuna. Use other beans or a mixture of two or three types and keep the purée slightly chunky, if you prefer.

PAN-FRIED SALMON

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Pour in lemon juice and swirl the skillet to mix melted butter and lemon juice.
• Place salmon fillets, flesh side down, in the pan and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Spoon lemon butter over the top of the fillets as they cook. Turn fillets over with a spatula and cook for an additional 1 or 2 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Season with salt and pepper.