Gordon Ramsay Poached Salmon Recipes

GORDON RAMSAY'S SALMON RECIPE

Steps:

• Score the skin side of the salmon with a sharp knife making horizontal scores about 1 inch apart.
• Season both sides of the salmon with salt, pepper, and cayenne.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the olive oil once the pan is hot.
• Add the salmon to the pan skin side down. Press the salmon gently with a spatula to prevent buckling as it cooks.
• Cook for 2 minutes, then flip the fish to cook it for another 1 to 2 minutes until browned.
• Flip the salmon so that the skin side is down once again.
• Add 1 tablespoon of the butter, half of the sliced garlic, and the 4 sprigs of thyme.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the salmon for 5 minutes.
• Remove the salmon from the skillet, leaving the pan on the heat.
• Add the zest, lemon juice, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, and the remaining sliced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring until the butter is melted and creamy.
• Plate the salmon and top the fish with the lemon butter sauce.

SALMON EN PAPILLOTE (SALMON IN PARCHMENT)

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut 4 large heart-shaped pieces of parchment paper or foil, and place them on a sheet pan. Fold the parchment or foil in half down the middle, place a fillet with its garnishes and seasonings on one side of each, fold the other side over and crimp the rounded edge tightly closed.
• Place in oven for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how done you'd like to serve the salmon. The packages should puff up and make for dramatic serving.

COURT BOUILLON FOR POACHING FISH

Steps:

• For the bouillon: Place all ingredients in medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain and reserve. Can be refrigerated 3 days or frozen for months.
• For the fish: Run fingers over fish fillets to feel for tiny bones; if there are any, remove with needlenose pliers or tweezers. Lightly oil or butter the bottom of a deep skillet big enough to fit fish fillets in a single layer and place fish thus in skillet. Bring court bouillon to a simmer. Gently pour court bouillon over the fish, covering completely. Turn heat on very low so that liquid steams but does not quite simmer for 2 minutes. Turn off heat and let fish sit in liquid an additional 5 minutes per inch of thickness. Start checking fish for doneness: a thin knife inserted in thickest part of fillet should meet with just slight resistance. Fish should still be slightly translucent in center. Remove fish from skillet with slotted spatula, blot the bottom lightly with a paper towel, and serve.
• For the almonds: Heat large nonstick skillet over medium flame. Add almonds and cook for 2 minutes, tossing frequently, until light brown and smelling toasty. Reduce heat to low. Drizzle oil over nuts and toss well. Sprinkle soy and lime juice over and toss well. Sprinkle cayenne, black pepper, garlic and scallion white/light greens over and toss very well. Continue to cook, stirring and tossing frequently, for 5 minutes or until nuts are dry and scallion and garlic are soft. Add scallion greens, toss again, and serve over poached bass or snapper with a wedge of lime.
• For the emulsion: Wash watercress and remove the thickest stems. Bring medium pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. Have a medium bowl of ice water at hand for refreshing. When water returns to the boil, plunge watercress in and cook for 30 seconds. Drain watercress and quickly drop in ice water. When thoroughly chilled, drain watercress again and lightly squeeze out water. Chop blanched watercress roughly on cutting board. Place in blender and puree, adding a little water if necessary to get the mixture going. With blender running, gradually pour in oil until emulsion is formed. Add rest of salt and pepper, puree again and taste, adjusting seasoning if needed. Serve over poached salmon.

POACHED SALMON WITH PINK GRAPEFRUIT & BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Top and tail the grapefruit, then slice off the peel and pith. Cut through the membranes to release fine segments. Catch these in a bowl, along with any juice. Stir the segments into the hollandaise along with a few tbsp of juice and the basil. Set aside.
• Boil 1 litre water in a wide shallow pan with the herbs, onion, vinegar and seasoning for 5 mins. Put in the salmon, pour over extra water to cover and poach gently until just firm, about 7 mins. Remove and drain, then place on plates. Spoon over the sauce and serve with a green salad and potatoes.

SALMON BAKED WITH HERBS & CARAMELISED LEMONS

Steps:

• Trim salmon tail and cut off the fins. Pat dry inside and out with kitchen paper. Score the skin of the fish on both sides with a sharp knife, at 2-3cm intervals. Rub all over with olive oil, salt and pepper. Lay three large pieces of foil over a large baking tray, overlapping the long edges. Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5.
• Heat a little oil in a non-stick frying pan, then fry lemon slices over a high heat for 2-3 mins until golden. Season; allow to cool slightly. Scatter a handful of herbs and lemongrass over foil, then sit salmon on top. Tuck caramelised lemon, herbs and garlic around and inside fish, splash over a little oil and scatter over salt, peppercorns and star anise.
• Fold the foil around the fish to make a shallow tent, scrunching the edges well to seal. Cook in the centre of the oven for 30-35 mins, depending on the thickness of the salmon. Remove from the oven and rest the fish for at least 10 mins, still wrapped in foil.
• Unwrap the fish and gently peel away the skin using a cutlery knife and discard. Use the handle of a spoon to scrape off any brown flesh on top of the pink flesh, then push the spoon head into the groove that runs along the length of the fillet, easing the flesh into two long strips. Push the spoon into the flesh where it joins the backbone, lifting it off the bone. Break the fish on the first side into 4 portions and lift onto serving plates. When the top half is served, pull off the backbone and head and serve the rest. Drain the juices into a small jug. Serve with caramelised lemons and a drizzle of the juices.