Salmon with White Asparagus Mashed Potatoes

Name: Salmon with White Asparagus Mashed Potatoes
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and halved; salt; 1 ⁄ 4 cup heavy cream; 3 tbsp. butter, softened; Freshly ground white pepper; 1 1 ⁄ 2 lb. cooked fresh white asparagus,; cooking liquid reserved; 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; 4 (4-oz.) skinless salmon filets; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; Half a lemon, seeded; Vegetable confetti (see recipe)

Serves
serves 4

Hans Rockenwagner serves this dish in asparagus season at his two L.A. restaurants.

Ingredients

For the Mashed Potatoes

3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and halved
salt
¹⁄₄ cup heavy cream
3 tbsp. butter, softened
Freshly ground white pepper
1 ¹⁄₂ lb. cooked fresh white asparagus,
cooking liquid reserved

For the Salmon

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
4 (4-oz.) skinless salmon filets
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Half a lemon, seeded
Vegetable confetti (see recipe)

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Instructions

Step 1

For the mashed potatoes: Put potatoes in a medium pot, cover with cold water, and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until tender when pierced with a skewer, 25-30 minutes. Drain, then return potatoes to pot over medium heat, shaking it until potatoes are dry and mealy, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and mash potatoes in pot with a potato masher until finely textured. Add cream, then beat in butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.

Step 2

For the salmon: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season salmon with salt and pepper, add to skillet, and sear until browned, crusty, and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Squeeze some lemon juice over salmon just before salmon is done. Reduce heat to low to keep salmon warm.

Step 3

Untie string from asparagus bundles. Set 12 spears aside. Chop remaining spears into 1⁄2'' lengths, then fold into mashed potatoes. If you like, gradually stir in a little asparagus cooking liquid for lighter, more flavorful mashed potatoes. Divide potatoes between four plates, set salmon on top, then arrange 3 reserved asparagus spears over each filet. Serve with vegetable confetti and garnish with sprigs of parsley, if you like.