Fennel Smoked Salmon Recipes

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.

FENNEL-SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• Place wood chips in a bowl; cover with several inches of cold water and let soak for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat an outdoor charcoal grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Sprinkle wood chips over coals and close grill lid, leaving top vents open. When smoke rises from the vents, shut them, open the grill, and place fennel slices directly on the grates to create a bed.
• Generously season salmon fillets with salt and black pepper. Place salmon on top of fennel slices. Close the grill lid, leaving the vents shut. Cook until salmon is tender and starting to flake, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Scrape fennel from the grill and place atop salmon while it rests or discard it (see Editor's Note).
• Combine tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, fennel fronds, sugar, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Spoon tomato mixture over salmon and serve.

HERB SMOKED PACIFIC SALMON WITH SHAVED FENNEL AND DILL SALAD

Steps:

• This is a simple dish to prepare but timing is crucial. The cure can be made in quantity and stored refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. It is imperative that the salmon not stay in the cure for longer than 30 minutes before grilling or the surface will become dry and tough. It can cure for as short a time as 15 minutes. In volume situations, the salmon can be undercooked slightly and flashed in a hot oven to just heat through just before serving. The fennel needs to be shaved paper thin and ideally done just before serving. Do not store shaved fennel in ice water unless absolutely necessary - - it loses its fresh, aromatic flavor. Once shaved it can be held covered and refrigerated for up to 3 hours without browning.
• Garnish: Daikon or Sunflower sprouts, rinsed fresh salmon roe and basil oil
• In a saucepan over high heat, combine the salt, sugar, coriander and fennel seeds, peppercorns and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the dill and let cool completely. Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish large enough to hold them in a single layer. Pour on the cooled wine mixture and let the salmon "cure" for 30 minutes only, turning once. Meanwhile prepare a charcoal fire along with some soaked hardwood chips or shavings. Lightly oil the grill.
• Remove the salmon from the "cure" and drain off any excess liquid. It is fine if spices or dill adhere to the salmon.
• Lightly brush the salmon with some olive oil. Place hardwood chips on coals, cover and smoke/cook the salmon over medium coals for 5 to 6 minutes or until just done. Be careful not to overcook the salmon or it will become dry and lose its wonderful texture. It should still be translucent in the center. To serve: Toss the fennel and the cucumber together and dress to taste with Walnut-Dill Vinaigrette. Arrange attractively on top of the endive leaves on chilled plates. Place salmon on top and garnish with the sprouts, salmon roe and drizzles of the basil oil around the plate. Salmon can be served warm or at room temperature.

FENNEL, SMOKED SALMON AND ORANGE SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, sea salt and black pepper. Set aside.
• Place fennel in a bowl and toss with about half of the dressing mixture until evenly coated. Set aside.
• Arrange orange slices attractively on four salad plates. Mound the fennel mixture on top, divide and top with the smoked salmon, sprinkle with green onions and parmesan, then drizzle sparingly with the remaining dressing.

SALMON WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Thinly slice both the onion and the fennel bulb, mince garlic, zest and juice the lemon.
• Pour about 1-2 tbs of lemon juice and zest over both sides of the fillet, season both sides with salt & pepper.
• Sauté the fennel, onion, and garlic in olive oil until tender and transparent, season with salt & pepper.
• Let onion and fennel mix cool and spread evenly over the top of the salmon.
• Wrap with tinfoil and bake in oven at 350 degrees for 30-25 minutes.
• Open and eat while hot.
• I serve with cous cous or rice and a salad.