Everyday Salmon With Tangy Cucumbers And Fried Shallots Recipes

Steps:

• If serving the shallots, combine shallots and oil in a small pot or skillet. Heat over medium and cook until shallots begin to sizzle and fry in the oil, 3 to 4 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling the pot or skillet occasionally, until the shallots begin to sizzle less and brown more, another 3 to 4 minutes. Once they're just starting to turn a nice golden brown, remove from heat. (They will continue to brown in the oil, so pull them before you think they're ready.) Use a slotted spoon or mesh strainer to transfer shallots to a paper towel-lined plate. Immediately season with lots of salt and set aside to cool.
• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Season salmon with salt and pepper and place in a large baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and place in oven. Roast until the edges are opaque and the fish is just cooked through in the center, 10 to 12 minutes for medium rare, 15 to 18 minutes for more well done. Meanwhile, thinly slice half the lemon and pick out any seeds. (Save the other half of the lemon for serving alongside.)
• If serving the cucumbers, combine cucumbers, vinegar and Aleppo pepper in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper and let sit a few minutes, tossing occasionally to evenly season. Drizzle with olive oil before serving.
• Remove salmon from oven and transfer to a large serving platter. (Alternatively, feel free to serve in the baking dish.) Scatter lemon slices over and nestle remaining lemon alongside for squeezing over. Sprinkle with flaky salt before serving with the cucumbers, shallots or both if you like, and perhaps quick pickles, buttered rice, jammy eggs or more fish (see note below).

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 300 degrees. In an ovenproof skillet large enough to hold the salmon, combine olive oil, red-pepper flakes, paprika, fennel seeds, coriander seeds and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and just simmering, about 5 minutes.
• Pat the salmon dry, then sprinkle with salt and place in the spiced oil flesh side up. Spoon some of the oil over the salmon, then bake, basting occasionally, until cooked through, 15 to 25 minutes. (You will know if the salmon is done when the fish flakes when cut into with a knife or fork or when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reaches 120 degrees.)
• While the salmon roasts, peel the cucumber and cut into bite-size pieces. Sprinkle with salt.
• Break the salmon into large pieces on a serving platter. (Alternatively, you can make the salmon in advance, and eat it at room temperature.) Scatter the cucumbers around the salmon, then top with feta and parsley. Drizzle chile oil over everything to taste. (You will have more than you need - dip bread into any remaining oil.)