Sautéed Salmon With Zucchini Pappardelle And Red Lentils Recipes

SAUTEED SALMON FILLET WITH TZATZIKI AND WARM LENTILS

Steps:

• Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and bring to a high heat. Coat the bottom of another smaller saute pan with olive oil.
• Sprinkle the fish with salt and pepper on both sides. When the large saute pan is screaming hot but not quite smoking, lay the fish fillets in the pan skin-side down. Place the small saute pan directly on top of the fillets; this applies gentle pressure to the fish and forces the skin to have contact with the pan and will create crispy skin. Cook the fish for 2 to 3 minutes, and then remove the top pan. Shake the pan a little to unstick the fish. Use a fish spatula to flip the fillets, and cook for 2 more minutes on the other side. For thicker cuts or more well-done fillets, place the fish on a baking sheet skin-side up and pop in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 2 or 3 minutes. Finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
• Serve with the Nonfat Tzatziki, Warm Lentils with Mustard Vinaigrette and Kale and Pine Nut Salad.
• Grate the cucumber and place it in a fine strainer over a bowl. Salt the cucumber and allow it to drain until most of the juices come out, approximately 10 minutes. Squeeze out the last bit of juices and transfer to paper towels to pat dry.
• In a medium bowl, combine the cucumber, yogurt, white wine vinegar, garlic, mint and dill. Refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld, at least 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper before serving. Yield: 2 cups
• For the lentils: In a large saucepan, combine the lentils, bay leaves, garlic, celery, thyme, carrot, fennel, red onion and a good amount of salt. Add water to the pan until it covers the ingredients by about 2 inches. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the lentils are soft, 20 to 30 minutes. Ladle off 1 cup of the lentil-cooking water and reserve. Remove all the vegetables and aromatics from the lentils and discard. Drain the lentils.
• For the warm salad: Heat a large saute pan with enough olive oil to coat the pan. Add the diced carrots, fennel and onions and sweat the vegetables about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute 1 minute more. Add in the lentils, red wine vinegar and mustard. Pour in a couple tablespoons of the reserved cooking liquid and cook down for a couple minutes. Season with salt and garnish with chopped parsley and fennel fronds.
• Place the kale in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice and some salt. Toss the kale in the dressing and let sit at room temperature to soften.
• Before serving, check the seasoning and add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Top with the toasted pine nuts.

SAUTéED SALMON WITH ZUCCHINI PAPPARDELLE AND RED LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Pour lentils into a small pan. Add coriander, bay leaf and water to cover by one-half inch. Bring to boil; reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, partly covered, until lentils are just tender, 25 minutes. Drain excess water; discard bay leaf. Season with salt.
• Meanwhile, with a vegetable peeler, peel zucchini into wide, thin strips the length of the zucchini.
• Place a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat for one minute. Add olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Lay fillets in pan, skin-side down. Sauté until crisp on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Transfer pan to oven, and continue roasting until rare in center only, about 9 minutes. Transfer fillets to a plate to rest.
• In a medium sauté pan, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until just soft on the edges, about 3 minutes. Add lentils and toss. Divide among 4 plates. Lay a salmon fillet on top of each.