Welcome to another round of Culinary Capers™. As always, everyone is invited to contribute early and often. Having an edit function is certainly going to help with clarity. I'll be starting with some brand new recipes and then begin bolstering the archive with ones from long ago. Any requests or general food questions are welcome as usual. On with the show!
I'll begin with a main course that I invented last salmon season. Adjust the octane by using different amounts and types of chiles. For more chile flavor and less heat, remove the interior ribs and seeds from the peppers.
Salmon with Hot Pepper Corn and Onion Hash
Main Dish
Ingredients:
1 Salmon filet per person (¼-½ # each)
2-3 Potatoes per person (White creamers or Yukon Gold)
2-3 Ears of yellow or white corn (Canned Shopeg corn can be substituted)
1-2 Medium tomatoes
1-2 Chile peppers (Jalapeño or hotter)
1-2 Chopped scallions
1 Large yellow onion (Or Vidalia sweet)
1 Red or green bell pepper
¼ - ½ # Bacon or pancetta (Fried and crumbled)
¼ - ½ Cup chicken or turkey broth
2-5 Cloves peeled garlic (Chopped or crushed)
1-2 TBSP Butter
1-2 TBSP Bacon fat
1-3 TBSP Chopped fresh dill
Preparation:
Boil the potatoes in heavily salted water. Fry off and drain bacon before proceeding. Heat skillet over a low flame, then melt some butter and bacon fat in the pan. Add (in order), the chopped onion, bell pepper, scallions, chiles, tomatoes and garlic. Continue to sauté the vegetables until tender. Husk and shave the corn then add to the other vegetables. Add the crumbled bacon. Stir well and cover, then reduce heat or turn off and reserve. The pan may be deglazed with a splash of wine if needed.
Pan fry or poach the salmon in stock with 1-2 TBSP of the chopped dill weed
Drain the potatoes
Plate:
In the bottom of a large shallow soup bowl place:
Slices of cooked potato (or crushed creamers)
Top with the corn and onion hash
Drape with a filet of the salmon (or tuna, swordfish or halibut)
Sprinkle with chopped dill (or capers)
Pairing:
Serve with chilled lager, Champagne, a crisp white or rosé wine.