Mark Bittmans Provencal Salmon Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Season fillets on both sides with salt and pepper. Grind fennel seed coarsely in a coffee or spice grinder, and mix it with the rosemary and orange zest. Press this mixture onto the top of each fillet.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 3 or 4 minutes. Add the oil or butter called for in the recipe and, when it shimmers, place the fillets, coated side down, in the pan. Cook about 1 minute, or until the spice mixture forms a nicely browned crust.
• Turn the fillets and cook about a minute more, then transfer to the oven. Cook about 4 minutes for rare salmon, 5 to 6 minutes for medium rare and 8 minutes for well done.

Steps:

• Method Chop the salmon into large chunks, roughly 2-3 inch cubes, and place about a quarter of the salmon into the food processor along with the mustard. Pulse until the mixture becomes pasty. Toss in the shallots and the balance of the salmon. Pulse until the fish is chopped and combined with the puree. No piece of salmon should be larger than a quarter of an inch however take care to avoid a mixture that is too fine. Scrape the mixture into a bowl, and fold in the bread crumbs, capers and some salt and pepper. Shape into four burger patties. Place the butter and oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet, and turn the heat to medium-high. When the butter foam subsides or the oil is hot, cook the burgers for 2 to 3 minutes each side, turning once. Alternatively, you can grill them: let them firm up on the first side, grilling for about 4 minutes, before turning over and finishing for just another minute or two. To check for doneness, make a small cut and peek inside. Be careful not to overcook. Mark Bittman suggests that the burgers are served on a bed of greens or on buns or by themselves, with lemon wedges and Tabasco or any dressing you like.

Steps:

• Cut each fillet into six serving pieces. Set aside.
• Fill a large fish poacher or roasting pan with enough water to cover the fish when it is added later, and bring the water to a boil. Add the salt, peppercorns, bay leaf, onion, carrot, celery and the sprigs of parsley, and simmer for five minutes.
• Place the butter, lemon juice, white pepper and minced parsley in a mixing bowl. Beat until all the ingredients are well incorporated. Place the mixture on wax paper and roll into the shape of a log. Chill until ready to use.
• Add the fish pieces to the court bouillon, cover with a piece of cheesecloth and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cheese cloth and drain the fish on paper towels. Serve with the maitre d'hotel butter.

Steps:

• Season the fillets on both sides with salt and pepper. Grind the fennel seed coarsely in a coffee or spice grinder, and mix it with the rosemary and orange zest. Press this mixture onto the top of each fillet.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat for 3 or 4 minutes. Add the oil and when it shimmers, place the fillets, coated side down, in the pan. Cook about 1 minute or until the spice mixture forms a nicely browned crust.
• Turn the fillets and cook about a minute more, then transfer to the oven. Cook about 4 minutes for rare, 5-6 for medium rare and 8 minutes for well done.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Place the butter and half the herb in a roasting pan just large enough to fit the salmon and place it in the oven. Heat about 5 minutes, until the butter melts and the herb begins to sizzle.
• Add the salmon to the pan, skin side up. Roast 4 minutes. Remove from the oven, then peel the skin off. (If the skin does not lift right off, cook 2 minutes longer.) Sprinkle with salt and pepper and turn the fillet over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper again.
• Roast 3 to 5 minutes more, depending on the thickness of the fillet and the degree of doneness you prefer. Cut into serving portions, spoon a little of the butter over each and garnish with the remaining herb. Serve with lemon wedges.