Tomato-and-Fennel-Stuffed Salmon with Basil Sauce
Tomato-and-Fennel-Stuffed Salmon with Basil Sauce is a gluten free, dairy free, and pescatarian main course. One serving contains 754 calories, 74g of protein, and 46g of fat. This recipe serves 10. Head to the store and pick up olive oil, salt, herbes de provence, and a few other things to make it today. To use up the water you could follow this main course with the Watermelon-Peach Slushies as a dessert. From preparation to the plate, this recipe takes approximately 2 hours.
Instructions
Put oven racks in middle and lower third of oven and preheat oven to 400°F.
Toss tomatoes in a bowl with 1 tablespoon oil, teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence. Arrange tomatoes, cut sides up, in a shallow baking pan and reserve bowl (do not wipe clean).
Quarter fennel lengthwise, then slice 1/8 inch thick with slicer. Toss fennel in reserved bowl with 1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and remaining teaspoon herbes de Provence, then spread out in a 17- by 12-inch heavy shallow baking pan.
Roast fennel in lower third of oven and tomatoes in middle of oven, stirring fennel halfway through roasting, until fennel begins to caramelize and tomatoes are browned lightly on edges (but are still juicy) and their juices have accumulated in bottom of pan, 40 to 50 minutes.
Remove from oven. If there are no tomato juices in pan, gently press on tomatoes to extract enough juice to measure 2 tablespoons (leave juices in pan). Increase oven temperature to 450°F.
Line a 17- by 12-inch shallow baking pan with heavy-duty foil and coat foil with 1 tablespoon oil. Position salmon diagonally in roasting pan, then open fish.
Sprinkle inside of fish with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, then coat with 1 tablespoon oil. Arrange roasted tomatoes evenly inside fish on bottom half (with head and tail attached), reserving juices in pan (for sauce). Top tomatoes with roasted fennel, then pour wine over vegetables and close fish (like a book) to enclose stuffing (stuffing will not be completely covered). Secure opening with several wooden picks, then rub top of fish with remaining tablespoon oil. If head and tail hang over edge of pan, put a baseball-size ball of foil under head and a golf-ball-size ball of foil under tail to prop them up so that juices run into pan (head and tail will curve upward slightly).
Roast salmon in middle of oven until fish is just cooked through (thickest part will be opaque), about 25 minutes.
Combine saffron and hot water in a small cup and let stand 1 minute. Blend together saffron mixture, remaining sauce ingredients, and 2 tablespoons reserved tomato juices in a blender until smooth.
Transfer to a bowl and chill, covered, until ready to use.
Slide whole fish (still on foil) onto a platter. To remove foil, lift head end of fish slightly with a long or wide spatula and push foil toward middle of fish. Lower head end back onto platter and lift tail end in same manner to gently remove foil completely.
Serve fish with sauce on the side.
•You can ask your fishmonger to butterfly and bone the salmon for you.•Sauce and roasted vegetables can be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring vegetables to room temperature before using.
Recommended wine: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc
Salmon on the menu? Try pairing with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc. To decide on white or red, you should consider your seasoning and sauces. Chardonnay is a great friend to buttery, creamy dishes, while sauvignon blanc can complement herb or citrus-centric dishes. A light-bodied, low-tannin red such as the pinot noir goes great with broiled or grilled salmon. You could try Hanna Chardonnay. Reviewers quite like it with a 4.4 out of 5 star rating and a price of about 20 dollars per bottle.
Hanna Chardonnay
With a color of brilliant honey and golden straw, this wine brings aromas of grilled peach, pear pie, with caramel, plantain,Pineapple. On the palate, fresh slice apple with pie crust, caramel, pear pie, grilled peach, toast and banana.