Brandade De Saumon Recipes

FRENCH SALT COD AND POTATO BRANDADE

Steps:

• Rinse salt cod well and rub off any salt. Soak in 2 quarts cold water. Drain and change water every few hours (an overnight soak without changing is fine). Total soaking time should be at least 8 hours.
• In a medium saucepan, heat milk plus 1 cup water over medium-high heat. Add soaked salt cod, thyme, bay leaf, peppercorns, allspice berries and clove. Adjust heat to maintain a bare simmer. Cook until fish flakes easily, about 15 minutes. Remove fish and hold at room temperature.
• Meanwhile, in another pot, cover potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Add garlic cloves and a good pinch of salt. Drain potatoes when they are soft, about 15 minutes, reserving cooking liquid and garlic.
• Put cooked garlic cloves in a small saucepan and crush with a fork. Add olive oil and heat over a medium flame until quite warm to the touch. Set aside.
• Put potatoes in a large mixing bowl. With your fingers, flake cooked salt cod on top. With a potato masher, roughly blend potatoes and fish. Drizzle in warm garlic oil and mash again. Add cayenne, nutmeg to taste and lemon zest. Stir in ½ cup crème fraîche and beat well to combine. Beat in about ½ cup cooking liquid to lighten mixture so it has the texture of soft mashed potatoes. Taste and adjust seasoning - it will probably need salt and pepper.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Use 1 tablespoon butter to grease a low-sided 1-quart baking dish or pie pan. Transfer brandade mixture to dish and smooth with a spatula. Paint the top with 2 tablespoons crème fraîche, and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Dot top with remaining butter. (May be prepared up to a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature before baking.) Bake until golden and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

BRANDADE DE SAUMON

Steps:

• In a saucepan of simmering water poach the salmon for 15 minutes, or until it is just cooked through, transfer it with a slotted spoon to a plate, and keep it warm, covered. In the water in the pan boil the potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces, with the garlic for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the potato is tender. While the potato and the garlic are cooking, in a small saucepan heat the oil, the cream, and the thyme over low heat until the mixture is hot, remove the pan from the heat, and keep the mixture warm, covered. Drain the potato and the garlic, return them to the pan, and cook them over high heat, shaking the pan, for 30 seconds, or until any excess liquids evaporated.
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the potato and the garlic on medium-low speed until the mixture is smooth, add the salmon, and beat the mixture until it is combined well. Add the cream mixture gradually, beating, and add the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the brandade to a bowl and serve it warm with the olives and the toasted bread. The brandade may be made 1 day in advance, kept covered and chilled, and reheated over low heat, stirring constantly.