Salmon with Fig Jam
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 6 servings
- Total: 5 hr 5 min (includes soaking and cooling times)
- Active: 2 hr 5 min
Ingredients
Fig Jam:
12 ounces dried figs, quartered
2 cups red wine
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
2 tablespoons minced shallots
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup brown sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts:
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
2 cups peeled and large-diced sweet potatoes
1 cup peeled and large-diced parsnips
1 cup peeled and large-diced carrots
1 teaspoon dark chili powder
1 pinch cayenne
1/4 cup honey
12 Brussels sprouts, leaves picked
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Lemon Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup grapeseed oil
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Salmon:
Six 7-ounce fillets coho salmon
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Directions
- For the fig jam: Soak the figs in the red wine for at least 2 hours and preferably overnight.
- Heat a large saute pan over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and add the grapeseed oil, shallots, garlic and rosemary. Saute until the garlic begins to brown slightly on the edges.
- Add the figs and wine, the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar and bring to a simmer. Simmer the jam until the liquid has reduced by half and is syrupy. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the jam to a food processor and pulse until chunky. Let the jam cool completely.
- For the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the grapeseed oil and allow it to heat up. Add the diced sweet potatoes, parsnips and carrots and cook on high to sear the potatoes, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook the the vegetables, stirring regularly, until tender, about 20 minutes.
- Add the chili powder and cayenne and saute for 1 to 2 minutes to toast the spices. Add the honey cook, stirring, to glaze the sweet potatoes, 3 to 4 minutes. The vegetables should be tender but not falling apart.
- For the lemon vinaigrette: Combine the lemon juice, dijon mustard, honey and garlic in a blender and puree.
- Slowly add the grapeseed and extra-virgin olive oil while the blender is running to emulsify the dressing. Add the oregano and parsley and let the blender run for a few seconds to mix the vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. Hold for plating.
- For the salmon: Season the salmon with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add the grapeseed oil and allow it to heat up. Place the salmon in the pan, making sure not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Sear one side of the salmon until nicely browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the salmon over and finish cooking until medium to medium-well, 2 to 3 minutes.
- To plate: Just before serving, heat the sweet potato mixture over high heat and add the Brussels sprout leaves. Cook until the leaves are tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Divide the root vegetables and Brussels sprouts among 6 plates, placing the vegetables in the center of the plates. Lay the salmon over the vegetables. Drizzle 1 to 2 ounces of the vinaigrette over and around the salmon. Top the salmon with 2 ounces of the fig jam and garnish the plates with the chopped parsley.