I had some broccoli that I needed to use, and I did not feel like eating them in pieces, so I figured if I made purée, what else could I combine them with. One thing led to one other and one thought led to one other, so here it is, a little timbale as we call it in French. In the culinary world it’s a deep and tall mold, and any preparation that has been mounted this way can be called timbale.

If you are in the mood for some greens, and a little salmon, this could be it. Believe it or not, this is an express dish, that is done in 30 minutes, so it’s always something to consider when your time is limited in the kitchen like most working people.

You can use baby kale instead of spinach, or any leafy green you like and use cauliflower instead of broccoli. This can be served as an appetizer or entrée for a light meal.

Ingredients for 4 people

• 200 g cooked smoked salmon, shredded
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tbs olive oil + 1 tsp
• 2 garlic gloves, crushed
• 1 bag of baby spinach or baby kale
• salt and pepper

For the dill sauce

• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1 glass dry white wine
• fish fumet
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbs dill, chopped
• 2 tb crème fraîche

 Preparation

Start by making the sauce. Heat olive oil in a small pot, add shallots and soften for about 2 minutes. Add wine and fumet and reduce for about 5-7 minutes. Add lemon juice, dill and crème fraîche.

Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli and cook until tender. Drain well and mash using a potato masher. Adjust with salt and pepper and a little olive oil. Keep warm.

In a large pot, heat olive oil and add garlic crushed. Stir to get the flavor out, then add greens at high temperature until wilted. Adjust with salt and pepper. Keep warm

Using a rind, mount in a plate by starting first with some broccoli purée at the bottom. Add spinach, then salmon, then proceed with another layer and end with the salmon.

Place some dill sauce around and serve hot or warm.

]]> http://citronetvanille.com/blog/2014/06/smoke-salmon-broccoli-puree-and-spinach-timbale-dill-sauce/feed/ 0 http://citronetvanille.com/blog/2013/07/table-for-two-marinated-monk-fish-medallions-with-eggplant-puree-and-lemon-confit/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=table-for-two-marinated-monk-fish-medallions-with-eggplant-puree-and-lemon-confit http://citronetvanille.com/blog/2013/07/table-for-two-marinated-monk-fish-medallions-with-eggplant-puree-and-lemon-confit/#comments Wed, 17 Jul 2013 05:54:35 +0000 silvia http://www.citronetvanille.com/blog/?p=16114 Table pour deux – Médaillons de lotte marinés aux épices, purée d’aubergine aux citrons confits

I realized this blog really lacks meat recipes, even though I cook it for clients every weeks, I don’t really eat it, (unless I am forced with a stick!!), I just taste it for seasoning, so I would say this blog is a sample of the dishes I really enjoy eating.

I got so excited to find monkfish in the store, that I had to buy it (you need thick fillets to make medallions). Monkfish in France is a quite famous and reputable fish, but it can be confusing to figure out what species of monkfish it is. There are two kinds, one living in lakes and rivers, and one commercially sold as “queue de lotte” which means monkfish tail, with its bone which can be the kind living in the oceans. The main bone is very easy to remove since it’s has no small ones. In the US they sell fillets so its easier to make medallions. I love monkfish, it’s delicate, subtle and with a firm texture. In this recipe monkfish has been marinated in spices, then pan fried. It cooks quite fast and it’s a very simple meal to prepare, for your guests, your family or for yourself. In my case myself.

You can serve it with saute greens, or any other vegetable. I wanted to add a bit of exotism so I used eggplants; not that eggplants are exotic but combined with lemon confits, it adds a touch of Northern Africa. I never know what to do with those strange lemons. I have a huge jar of those that I stare at anytime I open the refrigerator as if they’re aliens. Today I took the aliens out of the jar, rinsed, them, chopped them and ate them….and they tasted  wonderful. Lemon confits are often used in Moroccan cuisine, to add the final sour flavor to a dish and complement spices very well.

Ingredients for 2

For the Monkfish

• 1 lb monkfish fillets
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• zest of one lemon
• 1 tbs dill, chopped
• 1/4 tsp cumin, ground
• 1/2 small red onion chopped
• 1 tbs capers, chopped

For the eggplant purée

• 1 large eggplant
• 1 tsp pomegranate molasses
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 tbs mint, chopped
• 1 tbs parsley, chopped
• 1/4 tsp cumin, ground
• 2 tbs Greek yogurt
• 1 tbs lemon juice
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 lemon confit, rinsed, pulp removed and chopped

Preparation

Cut monkfish into 2.5 inches pieces. In a small bowl mix all marinade ingredients together and pour on monkfish, mix well to coat all the pieces cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

In the meantime, pre-heat oven at 400F, then prepare the eggplant. Cut them lenghtwise, Using a knive, make small incisions in the eggplant (not the skin side) sprinkle with salt and a little oil. Place the eggplant under broiler skin up, and cook for about 15 minutes until it gets soft. Remove from the oven and let it cool a bit. Using a spoon scoop the eggplant and let it drain for about 30 min so it gets rid of the water. When it has completely cooled, add all the rest of the ingredients except for the confit lemons. They need to be added at the end.

Heat oil in a pan, pan fry the monkfish pieces until golden brown, then add the rest of the marinade. Stir well, adjust with salt and pepper. Turn down heat and cook until fish is cooked all the way through. Serve with eggplant purée topped with lemon confit.