Author Notes
Inspired by Balthazar in NYC, salmon is crusted with mustard and breadcrumbs and simply seared, then served over a bed of lentils simmered with carrots, celery, onion and bacon. It's an incredibly simple dish, difficult to mess up, but because it's a classic bistro dish, it has glamour, mystique. A certain je ne sais quoi. —Borrowed Salt
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Ingredients
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1 cup
lentils (ideally de Puy)
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2
slices bacon, diced
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3 sprigs
thyme
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1/2
medium onion, diced
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1
clove garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon
salt
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2 tablespoons
butter
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1
carrot, diced
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1
celery stalk, diced
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1 dash
white pepper
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4
salmon filets
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salt and pepper
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2 tablespoons
Dijon mustard
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4 teaspoons
breadcrumbs
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2 tablespoons
olive or grapeseed oil
Directions
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Combine lentils and 4 cups cold water in saucepan. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.
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In another saucepan, sauté bacon and thyme over medium heat about 2 minutes. Add onion, garlic and salt and cook for 5 minutes until onion is translucent. Add butter, carrots, celery, pepper and 1 cup / 235 mL water and cook for 5 more minutes.
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Drain lentils and add to the bacon-veg mixture. Simmer lightly for another 5-10 minutes and lentils are very tender.
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Preheat oven to 500F / 260C. Season salmon on both sides. On the rounded side of each filet, spread about 2 Tbs mustard, then press in 1 tsp breadcrumbs to form a crust.
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Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. When oil is shimmering hot, add the salmon, mustard-side down. Lower heat to medium. Sear for 2 minutes, then carefully flip and sear 1 minute more. When flipping, take care to keep the crust from breaking off the fish. Transfer the pan to the oven and cook for 3-4 minutes more, depending on size of salmon.
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Serve salmon over a bed of lentils. A simple green salad dressed with a mustard shallot vinaigrette would be a great pairing for a meal.
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