Crispy Salmon with Steamed Bok Choy and Basil-Caper Relish Recipe

20120613-crispy-salmon-bok-choy-basil-caper-vinaigrette-9.jpg
J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

Recipe Facts

Active: 30 mins
Total: 30 mins
Serves: 4 servings

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained, rinsed, and roughly chopped

  • 2 tablespoons olives

  • 1 small shallot, minced (about 1 tablespoon)

  • 1 Thai bird or serrano pepper, seeded and chopped

  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

  • 2 scallions, finely sliced

  • 3 anchovy fillets, finely chopped

  • 1 teaspoon honey

  • 1 tablespoon juice from 1 lemon

  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 6 skin-on salmon filets, about 6 ounces each

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

  • 1 1/2 pounds baby bok choy, leaves cleaned and rinsed, but not dried

Directions

  1. Combine capers, olives, shallots, peppers, basil, scallion, anchovy, honey, lemon juice, and vinegar in a medium bowl. Whisking constantly, add olive oil in a thin steady stream. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside

  2. Press salmon filets between paper towels to dry surfaces thoroughly. Season on all sides with salt and pepper.

  3. Heat oil in a large stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Reduce heat to medium low, then add one salmon filet, skin-side-down. Press firmly in place with the back of the spatula for 10 seconds to prevent the skin from buckling. Add the remaining filets one at a time, pressing each on until they are all in the pan.

  4. Cook, pressing gently on back of filets occasinally to ensure good contact with skin, until skin releases easily from pan, aboug 4 minutes. If skin shows resistance when attempting to lift a corner with the spatula, allow it to continue to cook until it lifts easily. Continue to cook until salmon registers 110°F (43°C) in the very center for rare, 120°F (49°C) for medium-rare, or 130°F (54°C) for medium, 5 to 7 minutes total.

  5. Flip salmon filets and cook on second side for 15 seconds, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Set aside.

  6. Meanwhile, place bok choy on a large microwave-safe plate and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave on high power until just wilted, about 1 1/2 minutes. Carefully remove plastic (steam will burst out), season to taste with salt and pepper, then transfer to serving platter. Lay salmon on top skin side-up and spoon relish over the salmon. Serve immediately.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
666 Calories
50g Fat
8g Carbs
47g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 666
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 50g 64%
Saturated Fat 8g 39%
Cholesterol 124mg 41%
Sodium 782mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 3g 9%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 47g
Vitamin C 56mg 281%
Calcium 223mg 17%
Iron 3mg 19%
Potassium 1456mg 31%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)