Spring Has Sprung Salmon With Asparagus Recipes

ONE-POT SPRING PASTA WITH SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, 7 minutes (or 2 minutes less than package instructions). Add asparagus and continue to cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add peas and continue to cook until cooked through, about 1 minute more. Drain pasta, asparagus, and peas together, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid.
• Transfer pasta and vegetables to a large bowl. Add butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 1/2 tsp. pepper, and remaining 3/4 tsp. salt. Toss, adding reserved pasta cooking liquid bit by bit as needed, until a smooth sauce coats pasta (you might not need all the liquid).
• Divide pasta among bowls. Top with salmon, basil, and remaining 1/2 cup sour cream. Season with lots of pepper.

SALMON AND ASPARAGUS WITH MAîTRE D'HôTEL BUTTER

Steps:

• For the maître d'hôtel butter: With a mortar and pestle, mash the anchovies together with the horseradish (see Cook's Note). Add the honey, Dijon, butter, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Combine to form a cohesive paste. Add the parsley and mix to combine. Set aside. If not using right away, transfer to a sheet of parchment paper or plastic wrap and, using the wrap, form it into a cylindrical shape; refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• For the asparagus: Cut or snap off the woody ends of the asparagus. Place the asparagus and 1 tablespoon water in a shallow microwave-safe baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 2 1/2 minutes. Remove, then drain and season with the oil, salt and pepper, lemon zest and parsley.
• For the salmon: Place 2 salmon fillets in a shallow bowl or plate. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and microwave on 50% power in 1-minute increments until the salmon is cooked to your liking, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Transfer to plates. Repeat with the remaining 2 fillets.
• While the filets are still warm, dollop with some of the maître d'hotel butter on top and allow it to melt (save the remaining maître d'hotel butter for another use). Serve with the asparagus and lemon wedges.

MUSTARD-AND-HERB-CRUSTED SALMON WITH WARM ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Bring 8 cups of salted water to a boil in a covered large saute pan. Fill a large bowl with ice water and set a mesh strainer on top of the ice.
• Pulse the panko, parsley, the leaves from 1 sprig fresh tarragon and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a mini food processor until the herbs are coarsely chopped. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the oil and pulse until the mixture is combined. Transfer to a plate.
• Combine the brown sugar, mustard, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice and remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a small bowl. Brush the tops and sides of the salmon generously with the mustard mixture and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Press a salmon fillet, top-side down, into the panko mixture. Place, panko-side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining fillets and bake until the panko is toasted and the salmon is just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the asparagus and peas in the saute pan of boiling water and cook until almost crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to the prepared ice bath with a slotted spoon and let cool, about 1 minute.
• Meanwhile, heat a second large saute pan over medium-high heat and add the butter, swirling, until melted. Drain the cooled vegetables and add to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the radishes, the remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 2 tablespoons tarragon. Toss to combine, taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve the salmon with the asparagus salad and a lemon wedge.