Carter House Salmon With Morel And Asparagus Ragout Recipes

PACIFIC COAST SALMON AND WILD RAMPS, WITH A MOREL, CRAWFISH, AND FIDDLEHEAD FERN RAGOUT

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water by 1 inch. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain in a colander.
• Return the potatoes to the saucepan. Add 4 ounces (1 stick) of the butter, the cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. With the heat on medium-low, mash and stir the mixture until well blended, about 4 to 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning, to taste, and cover to keep warm.
• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fiddlehead ferns and blanch until just tender, about 1 1/2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and shock in an ice bath. Drain on paper towels. Add the ramps to the boiling water and blanch until just tender, about 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and shock in an ice bath. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large saute pan over a medium-high heat. Add the morels and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the shallots and garlic. Season with the salt and pepper, and cook until the mushroom liquid has been released, about 4 minutes. Add the stock, and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally until the volume is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the crawfish tails and stir well to mix. Lower the heat to medium-low, and gradually add 6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) of butter several pieces at a time, stirring constantly to incorporate. Add the fiddlehead ferns and toss until they are heated through. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• Season the salmon on both sides with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper per fillet. In a large skillet or 2 smaller skillets, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Remove from the heat.
• Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until golden brown and some of the fat is rendered. Add the shallots and saute for 1 minute. Add the ramps, and salt and pepper to taste, and cook, stirring, until tender yet still firm, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Divide the morel ragout among 6 dinner plates. Place a dollop of mashed potatoes in the middle of the plate and top with a salmon fillet. Spoon the ramps on top of the fish and serve immediately.

ALDER ROASTED SALMON WITH ROSEMARY POLENTA AND WILD MUSHROOM-PEARL ONION RAGOUT

Steps:

• Polenta:
• In a heavy bottomed saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic, shallots, rosemary, and red pepper and saute until vegetables are tender. Add all liquid and bring to a boil. Slowly pour in polenta, whisking constantly. Continue to stir for about 3 to 5 minutes and then add Parmesan and parsley and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Pour onto a half-sheet pan and cool. (You can make the polenta the day before and store in refrigerator.)
• Cut cooled polenta into 4 by 4-inch squares and then cut each in half to make triangles. When ready to prepare salmon, lightly oil a flat grill or grill pan; when hot, place polenta triangles in pan and brown on both sides, in batches as needed.
• Ragout:
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet and add garlic and onions. Saute until golden brown, then add mushrooms and saute until tender. Deglaze with white wine. Reduce until little liquid remains and then stir in 2 tablespoons cold butter. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Keep warm until ready to serve.
• Salmon:
• Heat a grill or grill pan. Lightly oil the salmon fillets and season with salt and pepper. Place on grill, skin side up, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip over and cook for 3 to 4 more minutes. Remove from grill and serve promptly with a portion of the ragout and 2 polenta triangles per person.

SAUTéED ASPARAGUS WITH MORELS

Steps:

• Drain and slice the morels: Drain and rinse the morels one more time. Then slice them crosswise into 1/4-inch slices.

ROASTED SALMON WITH ASPARAGUS, LEMON AND BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Rub salmon all over with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange skin side-down on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until medium, 8 to 10 minutes.
• While the salmon roasts, prepare the asparagus: In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Add asparagus, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium and add butter to skillet. Cook, stirring, until foam subsides and butter is deep golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. (Be careful not to burn). Turn off heat and stir in lemon juice, capers, peas, parsley and cooked asparagus. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide vegetables among plates. Top with salmon and spoon over any remaining pan sauce. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

CHARLIE PALMER'S ASPARAGUS WITH MOREL RAGOUT

Steps:

• Place the asparagus in the top half of the steamer over boiling water. Cover and steam for about 6 minutes or until asparagus is just tender but still bright green. Immediately remove and refresh under cold running water. Drain well, pat and dry. Set aside. Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the leeks and saute for about 5 minutes or until the leeks are beginning to soften. Add the morels, chicken stock, wine, and salt and pepper to taste. Lower the heat and cook, stirring frequently, for about 26 minutes or until the leeks are almost melted and the liquid has reduced to a sauce-like consistency. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the chives and the parsley. Taste and, if necessary, adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Place the asparagus on a serving plate. Spoon the Morel Ragout over the top of the rice and garnish with the remaining chives.

CARTER HOUSE SALMON WITH MOREL-AND-ASPARAGUS RAGOUT

Steps:

• To make the sauce, blend the arugula, pumpkin seeds, olive oil, salt and pepper together in a blender or food processor until smooth. Warm the stock or water, whisk into the arugula puree and keep warm.
• To make the salmon, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Season the fish with salt and pepper and roll it in the minced herbs.
• Heat the 3 tablespoons of butter over high heat in a heavy skillet until it begins to brown. Place the salmon in the pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until the fish begins to brown. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 5 to 6 minutes, until cooked through with a hint of translucence in the center.
• To make the ragout: while the salmon is in the oven, add the 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan that the fish was browned in. Allow the butter to brown slightly over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Add the asparagus, garlic, shallot, herbs, salt and pepper. Continue to cook for 2 minutes.
• Serve the salmon on top of the ragout, with the sauce drizzled over the fish.

SPRING RAGOUT WITH ASPARAGUS AND POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, preferably enameled cast iron, heat 1/4 cup oil over medium. Add onion, garlic, jalapeno, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Add tomatillos and cook, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to soften, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to a blender; let cool slightly. Add 2 cups spinach, cilantro stems, and 1/2 cup water; season with salt and pepper. Blend until pureed, adding up to 1/2 cup more water if needed. Season with salt and pepper.
• Wipe skillet clean; return to medium heat. Swirl in remaining 1/4 cup oil, add spices, and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add scallions, season with salt, and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in chickpeas, tomatillo mixture, asparagus, and remaining 2 cups spinach. Nestle in poached eggs; cover and cook until eggs are heated through and asparagus is bright-green and crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drizzle with oil and top with cilantro leaves; serve.

ASPARAGUS WITH MORELS AND TARRAGON

Steps:

• Put morels, porcinis or both in a bowl with very hot water to cover; soak until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain morels and reserve soaking liquid. Cut morels in half; if porcinis are large, chop them roughly.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; when butter is hot and foam has subsided, add shallots and reconstituted and fresh mushrooms to pan. Cook until shallots soften and fresh mushrooms have released their liquid and it has cooked off, about 10 minutes.
• Add asparagus and 1/2 cup reserved liquid to pan. Bring liquid to a boil, cover, reduce heat so mixture simmers, and continue cooking for another 2 to 4 minutes, or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Add cream and tarragon or chervil and continue cooking, uncovered, until sauce thickens slightly and asparagus is tender, about 4 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

RAGOUT OF SPRING VEGETABLES WITH MORELS

Steps:

• Place morels in a bowl, and cover with warm water. Place potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with salted water, and simmer 5 minutes. Add carrots, onions, turnips and celery, and simmer another 15 minutes. Drain vegetables, and set aside.
• Drain morels, reserving 1/3 cup soaking liquid, strained. Rinse morels, and pat dry.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add morels, potatoes, carrots, onions, turnips and celery. Sauté about 5 minutes, until potatoes begin to color. Add stock and reserved morel liquid. Boil a few minutes, until liquid reduces and thickens a bit. Recipe can be prepared in advance to this point.
• Stir in asparagus and scallions. Rapidly simmer 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in remaining oil, scatter with chervil, and serve.

RAGOûT OF MORELS WITH CRèME FRAîCHE, SOFT HERBS, AND TOASTED BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Toss the tarragon, chervil, parsley leaves, and chives together in a small bowl and set aside, covered with a damp paper towel in the refrigerator. If the morels are large, cut them in half lengthwise.
• Heat a large sauté pan over high heat for 2 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons butter, and when it foams, scatter the morels into the pan, being careful not to overcrowd them. Sauté 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Turn down the heat to medium, and add the thyme, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and a few grindings of pepper. Let the mushrooms cook another 6 to 8 minutes, until they're crispy on the outside yet still tender. (The amount of cooking time really depends on the mushrooms; some give off more water than others, which will require a longer cooking time in order for the water to evaporate and the morels to crisp.)
• Add 1 tablespoon butter, and stir in the shallots. Cook about 2 minutes, until the shallots are translucent and tender. Turn the heat up to high, add the broth, and reduce by half. Immediately remove from the heat.
• Meanwhile, lightly butter the brioche on both sides. Heat a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat, and toast the slices on both sides until golden brown.
• Cut the brioche slices in half on the diagonal, and place them on a platter.
• When the brioche is ready, return the mushrooms to medium heat for a minute or two. Swirl in the cream, and taste for seasoning. Spoon the morels over and around the toasts-not completely covering the bread, and spilling onto the platter.
• Dollop each toast with crème fraîche and scatter the herbs over the top.

SALMON FILLETS WITH WILD MUSHROOM RAGOûT

Steps:

• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Add mushrooms; sauté until beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Add clam juice and wine; boil until liquids are syrupy and almost evaporated, about 20 minutes. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm over medium heat, stirring frequently.) Add cream to mushrooms; boil until thickened, about 1 minute. Mix in chopped tarragon. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat broiler. Arrange salmon skin side down on broiler pan. Brush with lemon juice, then butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until just cooked through, without turning, about 6 minutes. Transfer to plates. Spoon mushrooms over. Garnish with tarragon.