Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Crispy Salmon with Horseradish
- 1-inch-wide piece fresh horseradish
- About 6 leaves flat-leaf parsley
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Four skin-on salmon fillets, 6 to 8 ounces each, preferably center-cut
- Wondra or all-purpose flour, for dusting
Directions:
Peel the horseradish. Use a Microplane grater or the small-holed side of a box grater to grate the horseradish to yield 2 tablespoons. Mince the parsley to yield 1 tablespoon.
Combine the egg yolks, salt and water in the bowl of a food processor. With the motor running, gradually add the 1/2 cup each of canola and olive oils (one after the other) to form an emulsion close to the consistency of mayonnaise. Squeeze in the juice from the 1/2 lemon (1 tablespoon), then add the Worcestershire sauce, the grated horseradish and the parsley. Pulse a few times, just until well incorporated. Transfer to a serving bowl, cover and refrigerate while you cook the fish.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Heat a large, ovenproof saute pan or skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until it is quite hot. Meanwhile, use paper towels to pat the salmon fillets dry on all sides. Season them lightly with salt. Use the Wondra flour to dust the fillets on all sides, shaking off any excess flour.
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of canola oil to the pan or skillet and swirl to coat. Add the fillets, skin side down. After about 30 seconds, shake the pan or skillet to keep the fillets from sticking (or use a fish spatula to gently dislodge them if needed). Cook for about 3 minutes, then turn over the fillets. Transfer the pan or skillet to the oven and cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until the fish is just cooked through but not yet flaky.
Divide among individual plates. Serve warm, passing the chilled aioli at the table.