Recipes
Barely Smoked Salmon with Pea and Potato Salad
The individual elements, salmon, vinaigrette, and pea and potato salad, can all be made ahead, leaving only the assembly for serving time.
Ingredients
Directions
Ingredients
- 1 to 1-1/4 pounds thick salmon fillet, skin intact, cut into 4 equal pieces (4 to 5 ounces per serving)
- Gray salt
- Extra virgin olive oil for brushing on grill and salmon, plus 1/2 cup (see Chef’s Note)
- Soaked wood chips for smoking
- 2 cups diced potatoes, peeled if desired (1/2-inch dice)
- 2 cups shelled English peas (about 1-3/4 pounds unshelled)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar or champagne vinegar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh tarragon (if using champagne vinegar)
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
- 4 large handfuls salad greens
Directions
Prepare the grill for medium-low heat. Sprinkle the salmon all over with salt and let rest for about 25 minutes. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Brush with olive oil.Add a handful of soaked chips to the coals or smoker tray, oil the grill rack, if necessary, and place the salmon, skin side down, on the coolest part of the grill rack. Cover the grill and cook, without turning, until the salmon is opaque through, about 20 minutes (for 1-1/2-inch-thick fillets).
Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a pot of cold salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Lift out with a slotted spoon and spread on a baking sheet to cool. Return the water to a boil, add the peas, and cook just until bright green and tender, about 3 minutes. Drain well and scatter on the baking sheet with the potatoes to cool.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, vinegar, the tarragon, if using, and salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the 1/2 cup olive oil while whisking to form an emulsion.
Put the peas and potatoes in a large bowl and add about 1/4 cup of the vinaigrette. Toss and taste for seasoning. Add more of the vinaigrette, if needed. Toss well with 1 tablespoon of the chives and divide among 4 plates. Pull the skin off each piece of salmon (reserve, if desired), then place on top of the salads. Dress the greens with another tablespoon of the vinaigrette and arrange around the salmon. Sprinkle the salads with the remaining 1 tablespoon of chives.
Stand the salmon skin against the side of the salmon as a garnish, if desired.