Salmon With Black Olive Vinaigrette And Braised Artichokes Recipes

PAN-SEARED SALMON WITH ARTICHOKES AND WHITE WINE

Steps:

• In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Season the salmon fillets evenly with the salt and place each fillet flesh-side down in the hot skillet. Cook until deep golden brown, about 3 minutes. Sear the sides of the fillets for 1 minute on each side. Using a fish spatula, flip the fillets so the skin side is down and cook an additional 2 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and the oregano sprigs to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Baste the salmon fillets with the infused butter for 1 minute. Remove the salmon and oregano sprigs to a plate to rest.
• In the same skillet over medium heat, add the artichoke hearts and shallots. Cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the shallots are softened and the artichokes are beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the chopped oregano and tomatoes and stir to combine. Deglaze the skillet with the white wine and allow the wine to cook down until reduced by half. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the spinach. Cook until the spinach is just barely wilted. Spoon the vegetables onto a platter and top with the rested salmon. Spoon any remaining sauce over the fish and serve.

SIMPLY DELICIOUS ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of water and 1/4 cup of the salt to a boil.
• Place the artichokes on a cutting board. With a sharp chef's knife, trim the stem ends off until the bottom is flat. This way, the artichokes can sit upright. Cut the top third from each artichoke and discard.
• With kitchen scissors, cut the pointed tip from each of the remaining outer leaves. Discard.
• Rub the cut areas with the lemon halves.
• Squeeze any remaining juice from the lemon halves and add the juice to the boiling water along with the juiced lemon halves themselves.
• Using a slotted spoon or skimmer, carefully add the artichokes to the boiling water. Top with a heavy pot lid or heat-proof baking dish that will fit inside the pot, so that the weight will keep the artichokes submerged in the water. This is a bit tricky. Be sure to have an adult help with this.
• Lower the heat and cook at a slow boil until the artichokes are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. With oven mitts or pot holders, carefully remove the lid or weighted dish from the top of the artichokes.
• With a slotted spoon or skimmer, and with a small bowl or dish held underneath to catch the hot water, carefully transfer the artichokes to a colander set in a sink. With tongs, turn each artichoke upside down and place in the colander. Let drain, inverted, until cool enough to handle.
• To make the lemon-butter sauce, melt the butter over medium heat in a small saucepan.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and the remaining teaspoon of salt, and stir to combine.
• Remove the lemon-butter sauce from the heat and transfer to small dipping bowls to serve with the artichokes.
• Serve the artichokes either warm or cold.

BRAISED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Pat the salmon fillets dry with towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large oven-safe saute pan. Add fish to pan, flesh side down, and sear on both sides until golden. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Add potatoes and all the vegetables, saffron, and tomato paste to the pan and saute until vegetables are translucent. Add the stock and stir well to combine. Add a small handful of fresh herbs, and then place the salmon fillets back in the pan on top of the vegetables.
• Cover and place the pan in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the fish is cooked to your desired degree of doneness.

SALMON WITH OLIVE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine the olive oil, vinegar, olives, chile de arbol powder, garlic, mustard and honey in a blender until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Place the salmon in a small baking dish; pour 1/2 cup of the olive vinaigrette on top and marinate 15 minutes. Preheat a grill to high or place a grill pan over high heat.
• Remove the salmon from the marinade; season with salt and black pepper. Grill 3 to 4 minutes per side, brushing with the remaining vinaigrette every 2 minutes.

OLIVE-OIL-POACHED SALMON AND BRAISED ARTICHOKES WITH SAUVIGNON BLANC

Steps:

• Combine 1 quart cold water and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in a large bowl. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base and discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until exposed leaves are pale green at top and pale yellow at base. Cut off leaves flush with top of base (keep stem attached) and cut a thin slice from end of stem to expose a fresh cross section. Trim dark green fibrous parts from stem and base of artichoke with a sharp paring knife, being careful not to break off stem. Halve artichoke lengthwise, then remove choke by pulling out purple leaves and scraping out fuzzy layer with a melon-ball cutter or spoon. Cut each half lengthwise into thirds, then drop into bowl of lemon water.
• Heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook onion, celery, and garlic, covered, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Drain artichokes and pat dry. Stir artichokes into onion mixture with wine, thyme, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 cup chicken stock, and remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Simmer, covered, stirring and turning artichokes occasionally, until tender, about 40 minutes.
• While artichokes braise, boil remaining 2 cups chicken stock in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, uncovered, over high heat until reduced to about 1 cup, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer 8 artichoke wedges with a slotted spoon to reduced stock and add vinegar and remaining tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, remaining 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, covered, until artichokes are very tender and falling apart, about 15 minutes. Transfer mixture to a blender along with butter and purée until almost smooth, about 1 minute. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, pressing hard on and then discarding solids. Keep sauce warm, partially covered.
• While reduced stock mixture cooks, transfer remaining artichoke wedges to a bowl and clean and dry pot, then heat 2 to 3 inches olive oil in pot over moderately low heat until thermometer registers 150°F. Gently lower fish into oil with a slotted spatula. Return oil to 150°F, then poach fish until almost cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes (from time oil returns to 150°F). Carefully transfer fish with a slotted spatula to paper towels to drain.
• Divide artichoke wedges among 4 plates with slotted spoon, discarding cooking liquid, then top with fish and drizzle sauce on top. Sprinkle with parsley.

BRAISED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Trim 6 medium artichokes (see Cook's Note), leaving the stems intact. Halve lengthwise. Cook 2 each sliced carrots, celery stalks and leeks in a pot with 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat until tender, about 12 minutes. Add 3 sliced garlic cloves; cook 2 more minutes. Add the artichokes in a single layer; add 2 teaspoons salt, 2 bay leaves, 3 thyme sprigs, 1 rosemary sprig, 1 1/2 cups white wine, and water to cover. Lay a round of parchment paper on the artichokes and simmer until tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in the liquid.

KING SALMON WITH BRAISED FENNEL AND ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Season salmon with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and clarified butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place fillets, skin side down, in the skillet, pressing down on fillets with your fingers or a spatula. Cook fish 5 minutes, turn, and continue cooking 1 minute more. Transfer fish to four serving plates and serve immediately with braised fennel and artichokes.