Blackened Salmon With Lima Bean Smashed Potatoes Recipes

LEMON SALMON WITH LIMA BEANS

Steps:

• Slice 1 lemon half into 4 thin rounds and set aside. Grate the zest of the other lemon half and set aside; squeeze some of the juice into a bowl and mix in the yogurt and 1/4 teaspoon paprika. Preheat the broiler. Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add the lima beans, 1 1/2 cups water and the lemon zest; partially cover the pan, bring to a simmer and cook until the beans are tender, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley, 1 tablespoon of the yogurt mixture and the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil. Meanwhile, mix the remaining 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Sprinkle all over the salmon; arrange on a foil-lined baking sheet and top each fillet with a lemon slice. Broil until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve with the lima beans and top with the yogurt mixture.
• Photograph by Antonis Achilleos

BLACKENED SALMON WITH SPINACH AND SOY BLACK BEANS (FIVE-MINUTE MEAL IN A PAN!)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large heavy saute pan or iron skillet over high heat until almost smoking hot.
• Coat the salmon fillets well on both sides with the blackening spice and place gently in the hot pan. Sear on the first side for about 2 minutes and then flip fish over. Add the black beans to 1 corner of the pan and throw in the fresh spinach and butter right on top of everything and cook it all for about 2 minutes more.
• To serve, take the spinach off the top and place it on the bottom of a plate. Then arrange the salmon and black beans around it. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.
• Mix all the blackening spice ingredients well and store in a sealed container or spice canister. Keep extra as a versatile spice in your kitchen.

SMASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan, cover with cold water, and season with salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until potatoes are very tender, about 20 minutes.
• Heat the milk and butter in a small small saucepan until hot. With a potato masher or large fork, roughly smash the potatoes, while adding the hot liquid. Stir in half of the scallions, season with the salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and scatter the remaining scallions on top before serving.

BLACKENED SALMON FILLETS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, white pepper, black pepper, thyme, basil and oregano.
• Brush salmon fillets on both sides with 1/4 cup butter, and sprinkle evenly with the cayenne pepper mixture. Drizzle one side of each fillet with 1/2 remaining butter.
• In a large, heavy skillet over high heat, cook salmon, butter side down, until blackened, 2 to 5 minutes. Turn fillets, drizzle with remaining butter, and continue cooking until blackened and fish is easily flaked with a fork.

GENTLY COOKED SALMON WITH MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes in salted water to cover, until soft; this will take about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, smear a baking dish with the 1/4 teaspoon of butter and place the salmon, skin side up, on the butter. Let sit while you preheat the oven to 275 degrees.
• Mince a tablespoon or so of the chives for garnish. Tear the rest of the chives into 2-inch lengths and place in the container of a blender with the oil and a little salt. Blend, stopping the machine to push the mixture down once or twice, until the oil has a cream-like consistency.
• When the potatoes are done, put the salmon in the oven and set the timer for 12 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes, then mash them well or put them through a food mill. Return them to the pot over very low heat and stir in the butter and-gradually-the milk, beating with a wooden spoon until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper as necessary. Keep warm.
• Check the salmon after 12 minutes; the skin should peel off easily, it should flake, and an instant read thermometer should display about 120 degrees. It may look underdone, but if it meets these three criteria it is done. (If it is not done, or you prefer it better done, return it to the oven for 3 minutes more). If you like, scrape off the gray fatty matter on the skin side (or just turn the fish over). Sprinkle with some coarse salt and cracked black pepper.
• To serve, place a portion of mashed potatoes on a plate; top with a piece of salmon. Drizzle chive oil all around the plate and garnish with minced chives.