PAN SEARED AND ROASTED SALMON WITH CRISP CUCUMBER SALAD; HORSERADISH DIJON SAUCE

Pan Seared and Roasted Salmon with Crisp Cucumber Salad; Horseradish Dijon Sauce image

Provided by Food Network

Time 2h40m

Yield 4 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 medium cucumbers (8 ounces each)
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more to season
1/2 medium red onion, peeled and sliced very thinly
1 red pepper, seed and ribs removed, thinly sliced
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh dill
1 1/2 cups clabber cream or creme fraiche
3 to 4 tablespoons freshly ground horseradish (or prepared, spicy horseradish, drained)
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Freshly ground pepper
4 (7-ounce) salmon fillets, with skin
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons butter, room temperature

Steps:

Salad: Peel the cucumbers, trim the ends, and cut in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds by scooping out the centers of the cucumbers with a teaspoon. Slice cucumbers crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces, place them into a colander fitted over a bowl, and toss with salt. Weigh the cucumbers down lightly with another bowl fitted inside the colander, and place cucumbers in the refrigerator. Drain for 1 to 2 hours. Transfer cucumbers to a mixing bowl and toss with the onion and red pepper. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the sugar in the vinegar, pour vinegar over the top of the cucumbers, and toss in the dill. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
Sauce: Whip the cream until thick and add the horseradish and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, whisking. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Set aside until serving.
Salmon: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place a large, oven-proof saute pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom. Season the fillets with salt and pepper, brush each fillet generously with butter onto the skin side only. Place the fillet into the hot pan, butter side down, and brown for 2 minutes over high heat. Pop the pan into the oven for 3 minutes. Remove and serve.
Plating: Mound one quarter of the cucumber salad into the center of each plate, and top with one salmon fillet, skin side-up. Surround with one quarter of sauce, and serve.