Crispy Potato Wrapped Salmon With Mustard Sauce And Wilted Spinach Recipes

SPICE-CRUSTED SALMON WITH SAUTéED POTATOES & SPINACH

Steps:

• Start by toasting the fennel, coriander and mustard seeds in a dry frying pan on a low heat, about 8-10 mins. Once you start to smell the rich aromas of the spices, you know they have cooked through. If they start to smoke, the spices will taste bitter and it would be better to start again. Once toasted, roughly crush using a pestle and mortar, or wrap the spices in a tea towel and crush with the base of a small saucepan. Stir in a pinch of black pepper.
• Scrape the skin sides of the salmon with a knife to get rid of any remaining scales, and scrape off as much of the film of moisture you sometimes get (this helps to get the skin crisp). Slash the skin 3 times, about 3cm in length, to stop it shrinking during cooking.
• Tip the spice mix onto a plate, lay the fish on it, skin-side up, so that the spices cover the underside of the fish. You can do this a few hrs ahead to help infuse the fish with the spices. You can also start the sauce ahead - put the finely chopped shallots in a pan with the vinegar, fish stock and saffron. Bring to the boil, then reduce by two-thirds. Set aside.
• Put the potatoes in a pan and cover with salted water. Bring to the boil and boil for 1-2 mins only, then drain. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then add the turmeric and chilli powder, if using. Toss the potatoes in the spiced oil, then cook for 5 mins without stirring. Shake the pan and cook for 5-10 mins more, or until the potatoes are cooked through. Season and keep warm.
• When ready to cook the salmon, rub the skin sides with some oil, then fry in a pan (skin-sides down) on a medium heat with a little bit more oil, pressing down lightly on the fish for a few secs when it first goes in the pan. Don't touch the fish or move the pan for about 5-6 mins - this ensures you get beautiful crisp skin. When the edges start to look golden, turn the fish over and cook for 1 more min.
• While the fish is cooking, cook the spinach in a large pan of boiling water for 2 mins. Drain, then squeeze out the excess water. Return to the pan and stir in the butter. This will form a simple emulsion, which will prevent water running out over the plate. Season.
• To finish the sauce, warm the pan of reduced mixture until hot. Take off the heat, then whisk in all the butter, reserving 2-3 cubes. Once the butter is amalgamated, stir in remaining cubes. Season with pepper and use immediately.
• Place a spoonful of spinach in the middle of each plate, then lay the salmon on top. Scatter some potatoes and pour some sauce around the fish. Sprinkle a few sea salt flakes over the fish and serve.

SALMON, MUSTARD GREENS AND POTATOES WITH MUSTARD-DILL GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix first 4 ingredients in small bowl. (Sauce can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.) Place potatoes in small bowl. Spoon 1 tablespoon sauce over and toss to coat. Arrange potatoes in baking pan. Bake 15 minutes.
• Remove pan from oven; push potatoes to sides of pan. Spread each salmon fillet with 2 teaspoons sauce and place in center of baking pan. Bake until salmon is cooked through, about 18 minutes. Meanwhile, place greens in large skillet. Toss with 2 tablespoons sauce. Stir over medium-high until wilted, about 4 minutes. Divide salmon, greens and potatoes between 2 plates. Serve, passing remaining sauce separately.

CRISPY POTATO-WRAPPED SALMON WITH MUSTARD SAUCE AND WILTED SPINACH

Steps:

• Peel potato and with a very sharp slicer cut lengthwise into paper-thin slices. On a work surface arrange overlapping potato slices to form a rectangle as wide as one of the salmon pieces is long (about 6 1/2 inches) and long enough to wrap around it (about 8 inches). You will need about 2 overlapping rows of about 4 overlapping slices. Season salmon with salt and pepper and place crosswise over potato "seam" in center of rectangle. Lift potato slices around salmon to enclose, overlapping slightly. Wrap remaining salmon piece in potato slices in same manner. In a large skillet heat 1/3-inch oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Carefully slide wrapped salmon with a spatula into oil and fry 3 minutes, or until undersides are golden. Carefully turn salmon over with tongs or 2 spatulas and fry until potato is golden and salmon is just cooked through, about 3 minutes more. Transfer wrapped salmon to paper towels to drain. In a skillet cook spinach in 1 teaspoon butter over moderate heat, stirring, until just wilted, about 1 minute. Season spinach with salt and pepper and transfer to paper towels to drain. In cleaned skillet heat lemon juice, water, and mustard over moderately low heat, stirring. Add remaining 3/4 stick butter all at once and heat, swirling skillet constantly, just until sauce is creamy and butter is incorporated. Sauce must not get hot enough to separate. Remove skillet from heat and season sauce with salt and pepper. Mound spinach in center of 2 heated plates and top with salmon. Pour mustard sauce around spinach.