Lemon Dressed Salmon With Leek Broad Bean Purée Recipes

LEMON DRESSED SALMON WITH LEEK & BROAD BEAN PURéE

Steps:

• Mix the lemon zest and juice with the capers and 1 tbsp oil to make the dressing. Boil the leek and beans together with a little salt for 6-8 mins until tender. Lift them out with a slotted spoon, set aside, then add the spinach to the pan to wilt for 1-2 mins.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tsp oil in a non-stick pan over a medium heat and fry the salmon, skin-side down for 4 mins. Turn to cook the other side for 2-4 mins, or until just cooked through. Add a couple of spoonfuls of the broad beans to the dressing then, using a hand blender, small food processor or a fork, blitz the rest of the beans with the leek to a purée, adding a splash of cooking water if it's too thick. Drain the spinach well and divide between plates, spoon on the purée, then top with salmon. Spoon over the dressing, scatter over the basil and serve with potatoes.

PAN-ROASTED SALMON WITH WHITE BEAN PURéE

Steps:

• For the brown butter: In a small skillet, melt 8 tablespoons butter over medium low heat until brown and bubbly with a nutty aroma. As the butter cooks, the milk solids will separate on the bottom and turn brown. Remove from heat, add lemon zest, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt, and set aside.For the white bean puree: In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat, add the minced shallot and saute until soft and translucent. Add white beans and chicken stock and bring to a boil. When boiling, remove from heat and add to a blender along with a few pinches of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Puree, scrape into a small bowl, and cover with the butter wrapper to prevent a skin from forming on the top.
• Cook the salmon: Trim the thin belly flaps off the salmon (save for another use), so the pieces are uniform in size. Season with salt and wrap in paper towels to remove any moisture. In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, and then two salmon fillets, skin side down. (Hold the fish in place for several seconds so the skin doesn't curl.) Cook for 3 minutes; then flip and add 1 tablespoon olive oil, ginger, and bay leaves. Baste the fish by tilting the pan and spooning the juices over the fish as it cooks, 1 more minute. Remove, set aside, and repeat with remaining fish fillets. Discard ginger and bay leaves.
• Finish the dish: In the same skillet the fish was cooked in, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium/high heat. Add the bok choy and a pinch of salt and cook for 1 1/2 minutes, until soft. To serve, place a large dollop of white bean puree on a platter and a few spoonfuls of bok choy next to it. Add pecans and drizzle the brown butter on top. Finish by placing the salmon, skin side up on top, and serve.

PAN-FRIED SALMON WITH CANNELLINI BEAN PURéE

Steps:

• Reserve a few rocket leaves for serving then put the remaining rocket, spinach and watercress in a salad bowl. Add the cherry tomatoes and set aside.
• To make the cannellini bean purée, put the beans, garlic, lemon juice, thyme, oil and 2 tablespoons of water in a food processor or blender. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, then process to a smooth, soft purée. Add a little more water, if necessary. Transfer to a saucepan and heat gently for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until piping hot. Alternatively, put the purée in a microwaveable bowl, cover and cook on high for about 4 minutes, stirring halfway through, until piping hot. Let stand for 1 minute before serving.
• Meanwhile, to cook the salmon fillets, heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan. Add the garlic and fry gently for 1 minute. Add the salmon and cook for 5-8 minutes, turning once halfway through.
• Drizzle the salad with a little balsamic vinegar, season to taste with salt and pepper and toss well. Put a spoonful of cannellini bean purée on each of 4 warmed serving plates. Put the reserved rocket leaves on top, followed by the salmon. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately with the salad.
• Variation: The bean purée would be delicious with most grilled foods. Try chicken, turkey, large prawns or tuna. Use other beans or a mixture of two or three types and keep the purée slightly chunky, if you prefer.