Salmon Strawberry Fennel Salad Food

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.

BROILED SALMON WITH FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• For the salmon: Preheat the broiler to high and set an oven rack on the top third of the oven if your broiler is on top.
• Place the salmon on a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle the pieces evenly with the salt and drizzle both sides with the olive oil. Broil until the fish flakes easily but is still moist inside, 4 to 5 minutes depending on the thickness of the salmon. Remove to cool slightly, about 3 minutes.
• For the salad: Meanwhile, soak the fennel rings and radish matchsticks in a bowl of ice water for 15 minutes. Drain well and spin or pat dry. Whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon and salt in a medium bowl. Add the fennel, radish and basil to the dressing and toss well to coat.
• Place a small mound of salad in the center of each of 4 plates. Top with a piece of salmon and a pinch more salad.

SALMON-FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare the salmon: Combine 4 cups water, the sugar, 2 cups salt and the lemon juice in a large saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve. Remove from the heat and let cool, then refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes. Add the salmon; brine in the refrigerator, 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove the salmon from the brine and pat dry. Brush with olive oil on both sides. Place in a roasting pan and bake until just opaque, about 14 minutes. Let cool, then flake with a fork.
• Make the dressing: Whisk the lemon juice, vinegar and honey in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified. Season with salt.
• Combine the arugula, chives, celery leaves, parsley and fennel in a large bowl and toss with the dressing. Divide among plates and top with the salmon.

GRILLED SALMON WITH CITRUS-FENNEL SALAD AND GRILLED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Preheat a gas grill to medium-high or prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill.
• Brush both sides of the salmon with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the salmon, skin-side down, for 3 to 4 minutes with the gill lid closed. Open the grill, flip the salmon and cook and additional 3 to 4 minutes for medium doneness.
• Meanwhile, brush the escarole with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. On a slightly cooler area of the grill (medium heat) place the escarole cut-side down, and grill until it begins to char and the leaves have wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, season with a squeeze of lemon juice; reserve.
• In a bowl, toss the fennel, fennel fronds, onions and orange segments together until combined. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice over the salad; season with salt and pepper and toss to combine.
• To serve, divide the grilled escarole among 4 plates. Lean a salmon filet on the escarole on each plate and top with the citrus-fennel salad.