Seared Salmon with Beurre Blanc
From Chef Michael Howell
Ingredients
For the Salmon
4 x 150g filets of Sustainable Blue salmon, skin off
1 tsp grapeseed oil
1 tsp butter
Salt and pepper
For the Beurre Blanc
1/4 cup white wine
1 tsp shallot, fine dice
1 sprig fresh thyme
4 peppercorns
1 cup cold butter, cubed
2 tbsp heavy cream
Dash of hot sauce (Frank's or Tabasco)
Preparation
STEP 1
To make the beurre blanc – in a small sauce pan add wine, shallot, thyme and peppercorns. Over medium heat, reduce the liquid until 2 tbsp remain. Add the cream and reduce again until 2 tbsp remains. Carefully whisk in the cold butter one cube at a time, being sure to emulsify (melt the cube completely before adding the next cube). Do not add too quickly – sauce should maintain a very light boil while adding butter. Once all butter is emulsified, add the tabasco, then strain through a fine strainer into another small saucepan and keep in a warm place.
STEP 2
Season the salmon with the salt and pepper. Heat a heavy pan (cast iron is best) over medium high heat. Test with grapeseed oil to ensure it is pretty hot. Add the butter which should start to brown in 5-7 seconds. Immediately add the salmon filets and sear without moving for 3-5 minutes, or until the fish starts to caramelize and brown on the bottom.
STEP 3
Using a thin spatula, turn the fish when it comes away from the pan easily and cook on the other side another 3-5 minutes or until cooked to your liking. Slightly underdone in the very centre is optimal.
STEP 4
Remove the fish to a plate and top with the warm sauce. Serve with rich mash potatoes or a light spinach salad
