Seared Salmon Fillets With Roasted Fennel And Balsamic Lentils Recipes

SALMON WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside for 15 minutes, then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a saute pan, add the onions, leeks, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the drained lentils, celery, carrots, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Add the vinegar and season, to taste.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• For the salmon, heat a dry oven-proof saute pan over high heat for 4 minutes. Meanwhile, rub both sides of the salmon fillets with olive oil and season the tops very liberally with salt and pepper. When the pan is very hot, place the salmon fillets seasoning-sides down in the pan and cook over medium heat without moving them for 2 minutes, until very browned. Turn the fillets and place the pan in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until the salmon is cooked rare. Spoon a mound of lentils on each plate and place a salmon fillet on top. Serve hot.
• Place the chickens, onions, carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, thyme, dill, garlic, salt, and peppercorns in a 16 to 20-quart stockpot with 7 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Skim the surface, as needed. Simmer uncovered for 4 hours. Strain the entire contents of the pot through a colander, discarding the chicken and vegetables, and chill. Discard the hardened fat, and then pack the broth in quart containers.

PAN SEARED SALMON WITH BRAISED LENTILS

Steps:

• Melt 1 T butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chard stems and onion and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes, Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir in 1-3/4 cup of the broth, lentils and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the lentils are tender, taste, transfer to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
• Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Wipe out the skillet with paper towels, and add the oil, and return to medium high heat until just smoking. Carefully lay the fillets in the skillet, skinned side up, and cook until well browned on the first side, about 5 minutes. Flip the fillets and continue to cook until the sides are opaque, about 3 - 5 minutes longer. Transfer the fillets to a plate, tent loosley with foil, and let rest while finishing the lentils.
• In the skillet, add the lentils and remaining 1/4 cup broth and cook until hot, about 1 minute. Stir in the chard leaves and remaining 1 T butter and cook, stirring constantly, until the chard is wilted, 2 - 3 minues.
• To serve: lay the lentils on the plate and top with the salmon. Sprinkle with lemon wedges.

SEARED SALMON FILLETS WITH ROASTED FENNEL AND BALSAMIC LENTILS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler with rack placed 6 inches under the heat source. Place the bell peppers on a pan in the broiler. Cook, turning occasionally, until the skin is blackened on all sides. Remove from heat, and cool.
• Lower oven heat to 425 degrees. In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils and 6 cups water. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and cook until tender, about 40 minutes. Drain the cooked lentils, rinse with cool water and reserve. While lentils are cooking, prepare the fennel salad: in a medium mixing bowl, combine the fennel, garlic, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt and pepper. Place the mixture in a shallow oven-proof dish, and roast until the fennel is lightly browned, about 40 minutes. Remove fennel from oven, add lemon juice and reserve until serving time.
• Skin and seed the cooled bell peppers and cut into small dice. In a medium saute pan over medium heat, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil and shallots. Saute until shallots begin to soften, about 1 minute. Add lentils and diced peppers. Saute another minute, and remove from heat. In a small saucepan over low heat, simmer the balsamic vinegar until reduced by a third, about 2 minutes. Cool, add to the lentil mixture and toss gently. Set aside until serving time.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper to taste. In a well-seasoned or nonstick skillet over high heat, place 1 tablespoon olive oil. Quickly sear the fillets so they are well browned on the surface, and remove from heat. Transfer to an oiled baking dish, and bake about 5 minutes or to taste.
• To serve, spread half of each plate with balsamic lentils, and half with roasted fennel salad. Top with a salmon fillet, and garnish with a sprig of fennel frond. Serve immediately.