Grilled Brined Salmon And Eggplant With Fennel Cucumber Relish Recipes

GRILLED BRINED SALMON AND EGGPLANT WITH FENNEL CUCUMBER RELISH

Steps:

• Bring water, brown sugar, salt, and 6 tablespoons granulated sugar to a boil in a 5-quart pot, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Transfer 6 cups brine to a 13- by 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish, then stir in dill and cool. Transfer remaining 4 cups brine to a large bowl and add remaining 4 tablespoons granulated sugar, stirring until dissolved, then cool completely.
• Marinate salmon, skin sides up, in brine in baking dish, chilled, 1 hour. (Do not turn salmon.) Put eggplant in brine in bowl, then invert a small plate over eggplant and weight it with soup can (to keep eggplant immersed). Marinate eggplant at room temperature 30 minutes. (Do not brine salmon or eggplant longer than indicated or they will be too salty.)
• Prepare charcoal or gas grill for cooking.
• Remove salmon from brine and pat dry, discarding brine. Remove eggplant from brine, then rinse and pat dry, discarding brine. Toss eggplant with oil and pepper to taste in a bowl.
• When fire is moderate (you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds), grill eggplant on lightly oiled grill rack, turning once, until golden, about 4 minutes total. Transfer to a platter with tongs and keep warm, covered.
• When fire is moderately low (you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 5 to 6 seconds), grill salmon, starting with skin sides up and turning once, until just cooked through and skin is crisp, about 8 minutes total.
• Serve salmon over eggplant.

GRILLED FOIL-PACKET FENNEL SALMON

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium heat until hot.
• Put each salmon fillet on a separate piece of foil large enough to fold over and seal. Drizzle the salmon with olive oil and season with the salt and pepper. Add about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to each fillet. Top the salmon with the tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes and onion. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. Wrap up the salmon and vegetables tightly in the foil packets.
• Grill the packets until the salmon is cooked through and the vegetables are slightly tender, about 15 minutes. Serve in the foil packets and garnish with fennel fronds.

GRILLED FENNEL

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Slice a very thin layer from the bottom of each fennel bulb using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, leaving the core in place to help hold bulb intact. Remove fennel stalks, reserving fronds. Slice bulbs vertically into 1/4-inch slices. Brush slices with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with ground black pepper and salt on each side.
• Grill fennel slices until charred, about 5 minutes per side; transfer to serving platter.
• Whisk remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, basil, parsley, lemon juice, lemon zest, freshly ground black pepper, thyme, and reserved fennel fronds together in a bowl. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and drizzle lemon mixture over fennel.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR RELISH

Steps:

• Place sliced eggplant in a colander in the sink. Sprinkle eggplant with 2 teaspoons salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to release any bitter juices. Rinse with cold water and dry on paper towels.
• Heat a grill pan to high heat. Place 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small bowl. Brush eggplant lightly with olive oil and grill for 2 minutes, pressing down occasionally with a spatula. Turn each slice, without flipping, and continue grilling for 2 more minutes to form beautiful grill marks. Flip eggplant and repeat this process on the other side. Remove grilled eggplant to a serving platter.
• Whisk together remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Add tomato and mix well. Pour over the grilled eggplant.

FENNEL CUCUMBER RELISH

Steps:

• Stir together all ingredients in a bowl and let stand 15 minutes.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH FETA RELISH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk vinaigrette and garlic powder until combined. Stir in feta, cucumber, tomato and onion. Refrigerate, covered, until serving., Brush eggplant with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 4-5 minutes on each side or until tender. Top eggplant with feta mixture. If desired, sprinkle with basil.

CRISP GRILLED SALMON WITH FENNEL-OLIVE RELISH

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium; brush grates with vegetable oil. Drizzle both sides of salmon with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Place salmon on grill, skin-side down, and cover. Grill, without moving fish, until just opaque in center and skin is crisp, 7 to 9 minutes. Using 2 spatulas, transfer fish to a platter. Drizzle lemon rounds with olive oil; grill until lightly charred, about 2 minutes a side. Transfer to platter; sprinkle with fennel fronds. Serve, with relish.