Pacific Coast Salmon and Wild Ramps, with a Morel, Crawfish, and Fiddlehead Fern Ragout
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 6 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 6 servings
- Calories
- 1209
- Total Fat
- 93
- Saturated Fat
- 46
- Carbohydrates
- 45
- Dietary Fiber
- 8
- Sugar
- 6
- Protein
- 53
- Cholesterol
- 316
- Sodium
- 1639
- Total: 1 hr 25 min
- Prep: 25 min
- Cook: 1 hr
Ingredients
2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, well scrubbed and quartered
13 ounces butter (3 sticks plus 2 tablespoons), divided as called for
3/4 cup heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pound morel mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced in half lengthwise if large
1/2 pound fiddlehead ferns, rinsed
3 tablespoons minced shallots
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 1/4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 cup dark chicken stock
1/2 pound crawfish tails
6 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
1/2 cup diced pancetta
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 1/2 pounds whole ramps, woody stems removed, rinsed
Directions
- Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water by 1 inch. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain in a colander.
- Return the potatoes to the saucepan. Add 4 ounces (1 stick) of the butter, the cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. With the heat on medium-low, mash and stir the mixture until well blended, about 4 to 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning, to taste, and cover to keep warm.
- Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fiddlehead ferns and blanch until just tender, about 1 1/2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and shock in an ice bath. Drain on paper towels. Add the ramps to the boiling water and blanch until just tender, about 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and shock in an ice bath. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large saute pan over a medium-high heat. Add the morels and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the shallots and garlic. Season with the salt and pepper, and cook until the mushroom liquid has been released, about 4 minutes. Add the stock, and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally until the volume is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the crawfish tails and stir well to mix. Lower the heat to medium-low, and gradually add 6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) of butter several pieces at a time, stirring constantly to incorporate. Add the fiddlehead ferns and toss until they are heated through. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
- Season the salmon on both sides with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper per fillet. In a large skillet or 2 smaller skillets, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Remove from the heat.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until golden brown and some of the fat is rendered. Add the shallots and saute for 1 minute. Add the ramps, and salt and pepper to taste, and cook, stirring, until tender yet still firm, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Divide the morel ragout among 6 dinner plates. Place a dollop of mashed potatoes in the middle of the plate and top with a salmon fillet. Spoon the ramps on top of the fish and serve immediately.