Spicy Salmon Spread With Pickled Currants Recipes

SPICY SALMON SPREAD WITH PICKLED CURRANTS

Steps:

• Place salmon in a blender. Bring chiles, cream, butter, paprika, and kosher salt to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to melt butter (adjust heat if needed to keep mixture from boiling over). Immediately pour into blender and blend on low speed to combine. Increase speed and blend until mixture is thick and emulsified (it should be smooth and spreadable). Transfer nduja to an airtight container; cover and chill until set, 1 1/2-2 hours.
• Meanwhile, place currants in a small bowl. Bring vinegar to a simmer in a small saucepan and pour over currants; let sit until plumped, about 30 minutes. Drain currants.
• Spread nduja onto crackers and top with dill, chives, and pickled currants. Sprinkle with sea salt.
• Nduja can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.

SALMON BURGERS WITH SPICY QUICK-PICKLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Add the green onion, pepper, ginger, garlic and lime zest to a 12-to-14 cup food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse until the vegetables are finely chopped. Add the salmon, panko, cilantro stems, sweet chili sauce, sesame oil and soy sauce. Pulse to roughly chop the salmon and incorporate into the vegetable mixture. The mixture should be chunky, not a paste. Lightly coat clean hands with nonstick cooking spray and form 6 patties the same shape and size as the buns, about 1/2 cup each.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and swirl to cover the pan. Add the patties and cook until the internal temperature is 145 degrees F, about 4 minutes per side.
• Assemble the burgers: Lay buns cut side-up on a clean work surface. Spread the mayonnaise evenly inside all of the buns. Place a salmon patty on each of the bottom buns, top with desired amount of pickled vegetables and cilantro leaves. Place bun tops on and serve.
• Add the vinegar, 1/2 cup of water, pickling spice and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a small saucepan. Over medium heat bring the mixture to a simmer, then turn off the heat and add the cucumbers, carrot, shallot and chile. Cool completely. Refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

SPICED SALMON

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except salmon; brush over salmon., Place salmon, skin side down, on an oiled grill rack or on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 10-15 minutes.

SALMON PAPILLOTES WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND CURRANTS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan warm brandy over moderate heat and add currants. Remove pan from heat. Let mixture stand, covered, 20 minutes.
• Halve onions lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. In a large skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and cook onions, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate and cook onions, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 15 minutes more. Add currant mixture, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl and cool. Caramelized onions may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
• Preheat oven to 475°F.
• Fold each parchment piece in half crosswise and cut each piece to make a large rounded heart shape. (Folded piece should be at least 2 inches larger all around than salmon fillet.) Open a parchment "heart" and put a salmon fillet in middle of one side. Sprinkle fillet with 1 tablespoon wine and salt and pepper to taste. Spread one fourth caramelized onions on fillet and fold other side of parchment over. Beginning at bottom end of center crease, in overlapping 1-inch segments fold edges of parchment, crimping as you go, to form a tight seal. Make 3 more papillotes in same manner. Papillotes may be made up to this point 4 hours ahead and chilled, covered.
• Put papillotes on a large baking sheet and bake 9 to 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted through parchment and into fish slides out smoothly.
• Serve papillotes immediately, cutting them open at table.

PICKLED SALMON

Steps:

• Rinse salmon, pat dry, and cut into 3/4 inch pieces.
• Spread fish in a single layer on a piece of wax or in a shallow glass baking dish.
• Sprinkle with the 1 tablespoon salt and let stand, uncovered for 30 minutes.
• Rinse fish well and pat dry.
• While salmon is standing, combine vinegar, water, oil, spices and 1 teaspoon salt in a 2-3 quart pan.
• Bring to a boil over high heat; then reduce heat, partially cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Layer fish chunks and onions in a 2 quart wide-mouth jar or bowl.
• Pour the simmering pickling liquid over the fish and onions, cover loosely, and let cool.
• When cool, cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 24 hours or up to a week.
• Transfer fish and onions with some of the liquid to a serving bowl and provide picks for spearing.

SPICY SLOW-ROASTED SALMON WITH CUCUMBERS AND FETA

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.)