Best Seared Lake Superior Whitefish With A Mousseline Mustard Sauce Over A Bed Of Spinach And Mushrooms Served With Saffron Potatoes Recipes

SEARED SALMON OVER RISOTTO STYLE POTATOES AND CORN

Steps:

• In a medium pot, heat the chicken broth to a simmer. In a separate large saute pan heat half the oil (1/4 cup). Add the diced onion, garlic, and corn kernels. Use a wooden spoon to saute together until the onions appear translucent, about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, toss the diced potatoes with the remaining (1/4 cup) oil and season them with salt and pepper. Add the potatoes to the saute pan with the onion, garlic and corn. Stir with a wooden spoon and allow surface of potatoes to toast lightly. Gradually add the heated chicken broth to the saute pan just enough to cover the potatoes and corn mixture. Over a medium to medium high heat, the potatoes will cook in the broth and by the end of cooking time; most of the liquid should evaporate. If the broth has boiled away before the potatoes are cooked, add more broth in an amount that is just enough to cover. Be careful to neither burn the potatoes nor allow them to turn too soft. When the potatoes are done, a fork can easily go through, remove from the heat, stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper, as needed.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Trim the salmon by removing a 1 1/2-inch strip from the belly side. Divide into 5 ounce portions, leaving the skin on. Season with salt and pepper. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large oven safe skillet over high heat. Sear fillets beginning with flesh side down first. Do not disturb the fillets for the first 2 to 3 minutes; do not even shake the pan. You will see the surface of the salmon beginning to caramelize. Flip the fillets so that the skin side is now down, and sear until skin is lightly crisped. Transfer fish to a baking dish in the oven to finish. Fish is done when flesh springs back when touched, internal temperature of 140 degrees F. Do not overcook, as fish will continue to cook for a few minutes even after it is removed from oven, known as carryover cooking. (Remember to use oven mitts for the handle when removing that pan from the oven.)
• Spoon potato/corn "risotto" in center of serving plate. Top with the salmon, and garnish with chives.

MUSTARD-ROASTED FISH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. (You can also use an ovenproof baking dish.) Place the fish fillets skin side down on the sheet pan. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
• Combine the creme fraiche, 2 mustards, shallots, capers, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Spoon the sauce evenly over the fish fillets, making sure the fish is completely covered. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish, until it's barely done. (The fish will flake easily at the thickest part when it's done.) Be sure not to overcook it! Serve hot or at room temperature with the sauce from the pan spooned over the top.

SEARED WHITEFISH WITH MUSTARD SAUCE AND SAFFRON POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat a deep fryer to 350 degrees F.
• Saute mushrooms in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil until soft. Keep warm in pan.
• Saute spinach in pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil until soft. Keep warm in pan.
• Peel potatoes. Cut off sides of potatoes. Add potatoes to a pot of boiling water with saffron, for color and taste. Boil until tender. Drain.
• Season the fish with white pepper and salt on both sides. Heat a non-stick skillet over high heat. Brush fish on both sides with olive oil. Add fish to skillet and sear on both sides, 3 minutes each side.
• Using only the white part of the leek, halve lengthwise. Take each half and julienne thinly. Wash and dry. Deep fry in hot oil for 1 to 2 minutes until crisp. Drain on paper towels.
• Put spinach in center of plate. Put mushrooms on spinach. Put whitefish on top of mushrooms. Cover fish with Mousseline Mustard Sauce. Put 2 potatoes on side of plate. Put a small heap of leeks on top of fish.
• Combine in a saucepan, shallots, white wine, vinegar, salt and pepper. Reduce to 10 percent of its original volume. Yup, 10%. When reduced, add heavy cream. Slowly whisk in soft butter, spoon by spoon. Fold in mustard. Adjust seasoning, to taste.