Aromatic Steamed Salmon Recipes

STEAMED SALMON

Steps:

• Set the steamer inside your cooking pan and add enough water to just reach the bottom of the steamer. Remove the steamer and set aside.
• Add the grated garlic, lemon slices and fresh dill sprigs to the water. Place the lid on the pan and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer while preparing the salmon fillets.
• If your salmon has a thick end and a thin end, you can either slice off the thin end and use for another dish or fold the thin end underneath to make it equal to the thick portion. Season the salmon fillets with salt and fresh ground black pepper.
• Spray the steamer with non-stick oil spray and place inside the pan of water. Check the water level to ensure the water does not touch the steamer. Add the salmon fillets and place a tight-fitting lid on the pan and maintain a strong simmer.
• Steam the fish for 5-minutes, remove the lid then using the tip of a sharp knife, check the salmon for doneness in the thickest part of the fish. It should be opaque on the outside and just a little translucent in the center and gives slightly when you press it. That is medium-rare and perfect!
• An instant meat thermometer will read between 120°F and 125° for medium-rare. Between 125°F and 140°F, it's medium to well-done.
• When the salmon fillets have reached the desired temperature remove the pan from the heat and transfer the salmon to individual plates and serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges and fresh dill.

AROMATIC STEAMED SALMON

Steps:

• Pour about 1.5 litres cold water into a wok or large pan that will take a bamboo steamer on top. Add all the herbs and spices, bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to infuse for half an hour or so.
• Meanwhile, set aside about 24 large basil leaves from the bunch. Put half the remaining bunch (including stalks) into a pan with the shallots and Noilly Prat. Boil gently until the liquid is reduced to around 2 tbsp and the shallots are soft, about 3 minutes. Pour in the stock and boil gently until reduced by half. Add the two creams and remaining bunch of basil to the pan. Simmer until the sauce is reduced by half and has the consistency of pouring cream, about 3-4 minutes. While it's boiling, add a squeeze of lemon juice (if not boiling, the sauce will split).
• In the meantime, shred 8 of the reserved large basil leaves and put into a heatproof bowl or small pan. When the sauce has reduced down, check the seasoning and strain the sauce through a fine sieve onto the basil shreds. Set aside while you put the dish together.
• Separate the bok choi leaves. Trim off the stalks from the larger leaves (reserve the stalks) and arrange these leaves on the base of the steamer, like a daisy. When you're ready to cook the salmon, bring the aromatic water back to the boil. Scatter half the remaining 16 basil leaves over the bok choi. Press the rest of the basil on top of each salmon fillet. Season the leaves and drizzle with some oil, then sit the salmon on the leaves and drizzle with more oil and some lemon juice.
• Put the bok choi stalks, smaller leaves and hearts into a large bowl. Season with salt, drizzle with more olive oil (about 4 tbsp), 2 tbsp of the balsamic vinegar and a little more lemon juice, toss together and leave to wilt for about 3 minutes.
• Sit the steamer basket in the wok or over the pan and cover, then turn the heat to medium. Cook for 3 minutes. Take everything off the heat and leave to stand, still covered, for 4-5 minutes for fish that is lightly cooked inside and 6-7 minutes if you like the flesh firm.
• While the salmon is standing, heat a large non-stick frying pan until you can feel a strong heat rising - it should be 'stinking' hot. Toss in the wilted bok choi and immediately start to stir fry over a high heat for a couple of minutes until completely wilted and lightly caramelised. Drizzle in a little more olive oil and another 2 tbsp vinegar to deglaze. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside. Gently reheat the velouté.
• Divide the stir-fried bok choi between four warmed plates. Sit a salmon fillet on top, pour around the basil velouté and sit some of the steamed bok choi leaves on top of each salmon fillet to garnish.

OVEN-STEAMED SALMON

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and a second rack in the upper third. Heat the oven to between 225 and 275 degrees. Grease a thin sheet pan with olive oil.
• Carefully place a frying pan of just-boiled water on the lower oven rack. Arrange the salmon on the prepared sheet pan, season generously with salt and pepper, and place on the upper oven rack. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 110 degrees for rare, 115 degrees for medium-rare, or 125 degrees for medium. This should take 10 to 12 minutes for 5-ounce fillets or 20 to 25 minutes for a 2 1/2-pound fillet. (The color of the salmon will not turn dull, and the texture will be very juicy.)
• Transfer the salmon to a platter or one or more individual plates and season with more salt and pepper, if desired. Sprinkle with chives, if using, and serve.

STEAMED SALMON WITH BROCCOLI AND SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic and cook until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides. Place fillets, skin-side up, in the skillet; cook for 4 minutes. Flip salmon skin-side down and spread shallot and garlic over top. Add broccoli around the fillets, stirring to coat in oil. Squeeze lemon halves over salmon and broccoli.
• Cover the skillet and steam until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, about 5 minutes.