Sesame Salmon With Shiitake Mushrooms And Pea Shoots Recipes

A MEAL IN A BOWL: SALMON, SHIITAKES AND PEAS

Steps:

• Place the dried mushrooms in a large bowl. Bring the stock to a simmer, and pour over the mushrooms. Let sit for 30 minutes. Drain through a cheesecloth-lined strainer set over a bowl, and squeeze the mushrooms over the strainer. Slice the mushroom caps, discarding the hard stems. Set aside.
• Return the stock to the saucepan, and bring to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding soy sauce or salt as desired. Add the peas, and simmer five minutes. If the noodles have been refrigerated, warm them by placing them in a strainer and dipping the strainer into the simmering broth. Then distribute the noodles among four deep soup bowls.
• Add the sliced mushroom caps, the salmon fillets and the white and light green parts of the scallions to the simmering stock. Cover and turn off the heat. Allow to sit for five minutes without removing the cover. The salmon should be just cooked through.
• Place a piece of salmon on top of the noodles in each bowl. Ladle in the soup, taking care to evenly distribute the peas, mushrooms and scallions. Sprinkle on the dark green part of the scallions, and serve.

SLOW-ROASTED SALMON WITH MUSHROOM-LEEK BROTH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Place salmon on a baking sheet. Drizzle salmon with 1 tablespoon sesame oil, sprinkle with salt and roast in the oven until cooked, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove salmon from the oven and let it rest another 5 minutes.
• While the salmon roasts, heat remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a pot over medium. Add leeks and mushrooms, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks and mushrooms are lightly golden on the edges, 8 to 10 minutes. (Don't worry if the pan seems dry, the moisture that comes out of the mushrooms and leeks will help steam the vegetables and keep them from burning.)
• Add chicken broth and simmer until the broth is infused with mushroom flavor and leeks are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Season with salt.
• To serve, divide rice among bowls. Scoop salmon by the spoonful onto the rice, and ladle vegetables and broth over salmon and rice. Top with ginger and a drizzle of sesame oil.

SESAME-CRUSTED TUNA TATAKI

Steps:

• For the fried shallots: Heat 1/2 inch oil in a small skillet over medium; attach a deep-fat thermometer to skillet. When oil shimmers and reaches 320 degrees, carefully add half of shallots. Cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until shallots are just golden and bubbles stop forming rapidly around them, 2 to 3 minutes. (They will darken and crisp as they cool; do not let darken in oil, or they will taste bitter.) Transfer to paper towels, season with salt, and let stand until cool and crisp. Repeat with remaining shallots.
• For the fried shallots: Heat 1/2 inch oil in a small skillet over medium; attach a deep-fat thermometer to skillet. When oil shimmers and reaches 320 degrees, carefully add half of shallots. Cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until shallots are just golden and bubbles stop forming rapidly around them, 2 to 3 minutes. (They will darken and crisp as they cool; do not let darken in oil, or they will taste bitter.) Transfer to paper towels, season with salt, and let stand until cool and crisp. Repeat with remaining shallots.
• For the tuna: Pat fish dry. In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and sesame seeds. Sprinkle mixture evenly over fish, patting with fingers to adhere; let stand 5 minutes.
• Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high until very hot and wisps of smoke are visible, 2 to 3 minutes. Add tuna and cook, undisturbed, until bottom is golden brown and releases easily from skillet and fish is opaque about 1/4 inch up sides, about 1 minute. Flip fish and cook on second side about 1 minute more. Transfer to a cutting board; let stand a few minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, oil, and ginger for vinaigrette. Slice fish into scant 1/4-inch-thick pieces. Arrange on a platter for sharing or on 4 individual salad plates. To serve, drizzle vinaigrette evenly over fish and sprinkle with shiso, shallots, bonito, and flaky salt.