Oven Steamed Salmon With Champagne-Butter Sauce

Submitted by CookGordon

"Recipe is from the March/April 2001 issue of Cuisine. The salmon could stand on its own, or be paired with a Holandaise. The Champagne-Butter Sauce has plenty of lemon to cut the richness of the fish and still has a little sweetness from the champagne."

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• Oven Steamed Salmon

• 1 lb fresh salmon, center cut, skin left on (cut into 4 equal portions)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper, coarsely ground

• Champagne-Butter Sauce

• 2 tablespoons shallots, minced
• 1⁄4 cup dry champagne (or dry white wine)
• 2 tablespoons low sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, cold (1 stick)
• 1 teaspoon fresh chives, chopped

directions

1. To oven-steam, first fill a pan with 1" of hot water -- place the pan in the oven before adding the water to avoid sloshing it. Note: Be sure the pan is deep enough to hold about 1" of water without touching the fish. Preheat oven to 325.
2. Position cooling rack over a baking sheet; spray with nonstick spray. Place prepared fillets skin side down, on the rack, 1/2" apart. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Place the rack on top of the pan in the oven: oven steam salmon 15-18 minutes, or until desired doneness is reached. Prepare the sauce while the fish steams.
4. To test fillets for doneness, gently squeeze the sides -- they should spring back, not feel too soft or firm. And the color should be coral, not opaque.

5. Champagne-Butter Sauce:

6. In a small saucepan over medium heat, saute shallots in 1 T. buttter until soft ( do not bown). Add champagne, broth, and lemon juice; simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minute.
7. Reduce heat to mediumlow and stir in heavy cream. Whisk in cold butter by tablespoons, stirring constantly. Do not add more until the previous piece has melted completely.
8. Strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer. Stir in the chopped chives and salt to taste. Serve immediately, or remove from heat and hold, following the instructions below.
9. Holding sauce -- Transfer sauce to a bowl, then nest it in a larger bowl of hot water. Cover loosely with plastic and stir often. Don't let it get too hot (it may break) or too cold (it will solidify).