Spicy Salmon Sandwich With Ginger Peperoncini Aioli Food

SEARED SALMON WITH SPICY RED PEPPER AIOLI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the aioli, chop the garlic and chipotle pepper together on a cutting board to make a coarse paste. Place the paste in a food processor, add the lime juice and roasted red peppers, and purée. Add the mayonnaise, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and process until smooth. Set aside.
• For the salmon, place a large (12-inch), dry cast-iron skillet over high heat for 5 minutes. Place the salmon fillets on a board, pat dry with paper towels, and rub all over with olive oil. With the fillets rounded side up, sprinkle them with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon black pepper.
• Place the salmon in the skillet rounded side down and cook over medium-high heat for exactly 2 minutes without moving! Using a large metal spatula, turn the fillets rounded side up and place the skillet in the oven. Roast for 3 to 4 minutes, until the centers are rare. Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil and allow the salmon to rest for 3 to 4 minutes for medium-rare or 5 minutes for medium. Serve the salmon hot with the aioli and a wedge of lime for squeezing.

CHICKEN AIOLI SANDWICH

Steps:

• Combine the ginger, garlic, green onions, chile flakes, and peanut oil. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and place in a small roasting pan or on a baking sheet. Roast the chicken for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cooked through. Cut the chicken crosswise into very thin slices.
• Raise the oven temperature to 450 degrees F.
• Slice the rolls horizontally and place on a baking sheet with the top half cut-side down and the bottom half with cut-side up. Place 1 slice of provolone on the bottom half of each roll. Cook until the cheese is melted and the rolls are lightly toasted, about 3 minutes.
• Place 1/4 of the chicken on top of the melted cheese. Top with romaine lettuce, tomato, and red onions. Spread some of the Aioli on the top half of the roll and place the roll on top of the sandwich.
• In a food processor or blender, combine the garlic, basil, egg yolks, salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard and process to combine. With the machine running, add the oil in a slow, steady stream until it is all added and the mixture is emulsified. Add the lemon juice and check the seasoning.

GINGER AIOLI

Steps:

• Thoroughly mix all ingredients together.
• Chill at least an hour to blend flavors and thicken the aioli.
• NOTE: I've had good luck freezing fresh ginger knobs.
• They peel easily with a knife while still frozen, and grate easily with a microplane grater- just freeze small recipe size pieces individually (I put each piece in its own sandwich zip bag, then place all the bags inside a quart size freezer zip bag).
• The 60 minutes cooking time is for chilling.

SPICY SALMON SANDWICH WITH GINGER-PEPERONCINI AIOLI

Steps:

• To prepare Ginger-Peperoncini Aioli combine the first 4 ingredients in a small dish and chill in the refrigerator.
• To make Spicy Citrus Marinade combine the first 7 ingredients PLUS one tbsp lemon juice in a large zip-lock bag; shake to combine. Remove 2 tbsp. and reserve for brushing on bread. Add the remaining 1 tbsp. lemon juice and the peperoncini juice to the zip-lock bag; shake to combine; add fish fillets. Marinate in refrigerator for at least 30-40 minutes.
• After brushing a little oil on grill heat to medium-high. Carefully grill fish fillets for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until toothpick inserted in the center of fillets comes out dry, or fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
• Prepare Ciabatta by brushing the reserved marinade over the surface area of the bread, cut sides up. Place bread (cut-side down) directly on grill rack, grill until edges just begin to brown, about 1-2 minutes.
• Assemble sandwiches by generously spreading the bottom buns with Ginger-Peperoncini Aioli. Layer lettuce, cucumbers, 2 slices tomato (on each), and salmon fillets*, top with desired amount of sliced peperoncini. Place bun on top and enjoy!! *For easier eating you may flake fish with a fork and distribute evenly over sandwich.

GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICHES WITH ROASTED PEPPER AIOLI

Steps:

• Working with one chicken breast half at a time, place it between 2 sheets of waxed paper and, using a meat pounder, pound to an even thickness of 3/4" thick. Season on both sides with salt and pepper. Place in a nonreactive dish large enough to hold them in a single layer. Add the lemon juice, olive oil and thyme. Turn the breasts over several times to coat. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let marinate at room temperature for 1 hour or refrigerate overnight.
• To make aioli, preheat a broiler (grill). Set the bell pepper on a baking sheet and place in the broiler about 6inches from the heat source. Broil (grill) turning with tongs, until skin is blistered and charred black on all sides, about 15 minute Enclose the pepper in a paper bag and let cool completely.
• If broiling the chicken, leave the broiler on. If grilling the chicken, prepare a charcoal or gas grill for direct grilling over medium-high heat. Oil the grill rack.
• Remove the stem from the pepper and discard. Slit the pepper open, then remove and discard seeds and ribs. Remove the blackened skin with a small knife or your fingers. Coarsely chop the pepper. In a blender or food processor, combine the roasted pepper, egg yolk, garlic, lemon juice, mustard, tomato paste, parsley, salt and pepper. Process until pureed. With the motor running, add the olive oil drop by drop. As the mixture begins to emulsify, add the oil in a slow, steady stream. Continue to process until the aioli is thick and has the consistency of mayonnaise. The aioli can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• By Broiler: Remove chicken breasts from the marinade and arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil until lightly browned, 3-5 minutes. Turn and broil until lightly browned on the second sides and firm to the touch, 3-5 minute Transfer to a plate. Place the bread on the baking sheet and toast, turning once, until golden, 3-5 minutes total.
• By Grill: Remove chicken breasts from the marinade and place over the hottest part of the fire or directly over the heat elements and grill until lightly browned, 3-5 minute Turn and grill until lightly browned on the second sides and firm to the touch, 3-5 minute Transfer to a plate. Place the bread slices on the grill rack and toast, turning once, until golden, about 2 min total.
• Spread the bread slices with aioli. Place the chicken breasts on four of the slices. Put the remaining slices on top. Halve the sandwiches and serve at once.