Best Salmon On Mash Mountain Recipes

THE BEST BAKED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl. Mix the panko with the parsley, butter, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of black pepper in another small bowl.
• Place the salmon skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet and spread the surface with the Dijon. Press the brown sugar mixture all over the salmon then top with the breadcrumb mixture. Crimp all four sides of the foil to create a border around the salmon, this will help collect the juices so they don't spread and burn. Bake until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, and the salmon is firm and flakes easily when pressed, 15 to 18 minutes. Cut into four equal portions for serving.

GENTLY COOKED SALMON WITH MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes in salted water to cover, until soft; this will take about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, smear a baking dish with the 1/4 teaspoon of butter and place the salmon, skin side up, on the butter. Let sit while you preheat the oven to 275 degrees.
• Mince a tablespoon or so of the chives for garnish. Tear the rest of the chives into 2-inch lengths and place in the container of a blender with the oil and a little salt. Blend, stopping the machine to push the mixture down once or twice, until the oil has a cream-like consistency.
• When the potatoes are done, put the salmon in the oven and set the timer for 12 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes, then mash them well or put them through a food mill. Return them to the pot over very low heat and stir in the butter and-gradually-the milk, beating with a wooden spoon until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper as necessary. Keep warm.
• Check the salmon after 12 minutes; the skin should peel off easily, it should flake, and an instant read thermometer should display about 120 degrees. It may look underdone, but if it meets these three criteria it is done. (If it is not done, or you prefer it better done, return it to the oven for 3 minutes more). If you like, scrape off the gray fatty matter on the skin side (or just turn the fish over). Sprinkle with some coarse salt and cracked black pepper.
• To serve, place a portion of mashed potatoes on a plate; top with a piece of salmon. Drizzle chive oil all around the plate and garnish with minced chives.

CEDAR PLANKED SALMON WITH MAPLE GLAZE AND MUSTARD MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• In a small heavy saucepan simmer maple syrup, gingerroot, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste until reduced to about 1 cup, about 30 minutes, and let cool. (Maple glaze may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring maple glaze to room temperature before proceeding.)
• Preheat oven to 350° F. If using cedar plank, lightly oil and heat in middle of oven 15 minutes; or lightly oil a shallow baking pan large enough to hold salmon.
• Arrange scallion greens in one layer on plank or in baking pan to form a bed for fish.
• In another small saucepan heat half of glaze over low heat until heated through to use as a sauce. Stir in remaining tablespoon lemon juice. Remove pan from heat and keep sauce warm, covered.
• Put salmon, skin side down, on scallion greens and brush with remaining glaze. Season salmon with salt and pepper and roast in middle of oven until just cooked through, about 20 minutes if using baking pan or about 35 if using plank.
• Cut salmon crosswise into 6 pieces. On each of 6 plates arrange salmon and scallion greens on a bed of mashed potatoes. Drizzle salmon with warm sauce.