Author Notes
This is a 4 star luxury dish that I created for a dinner party based on a Scottish theme. My approach was to add a different Scotch whiskey to each dish, and this salmon was the star of the evening, with people asking for the recipe for weeks after the event. Use a Scotch that you love to drink, because the flavor will permeate the dish most delightfully. The sauce can be prepared ahead of time, and the fish can be prepared up to the point of popping it under the broiler up to an hour in advance, making this a super-easy party dish. - Abra Bennett —Abra Bennett
Test Kitchen Notes
Scotch and salmon are a great match and this sauce doesn't hold back on the Scotch, so be sure to use a good one to get the most out of this rich sauce. The salmon gets lovely caramelized edges from the honey and the lemon adds a nice fresh touch. - Stephanie —The Editors
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Ingredients
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4
salmon fillets, preferably wild salmon
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2
shallots, chopped
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2 cups
shiitake mushrooms, sliced
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1 cup
heavy cream
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2 tablespoons
chopped parsley
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1/2 cup
Scotch, the best you can afford
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2 tablespoons
lemon juice
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2 tablespoons
honey
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5 tablespoons
butter, divided use
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1 teaspoon
ground coriander
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salt and pepper to taste
Directions
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Saute shallots and shiitakes in 3 T of the butter over medium-high heat until they release their liquid, it evaporates, and they are golden and slightly crisp. Stir in the cream, Scotch, parsley, and a bit of salt and pepper and simmer gently to reduce while you prepare the salmon.
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Remove any pin bones from the salmon. Rub coriander, salt and pepper gently into the salmon. Melt the remaining butter. Remove from heat and add the honey and lemon juice to the butter. Brush this mixture over the salmon. Place the salmon on a foil-lined broiler pan, skin side down, and broil just until done, without turning over, about 6-8 minutes.
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Spoon the sauce over fillets. Serve this with a very simple side dish, sugar snap peas are nice, to let the salmon take center stage. And you'll need a good bread for mopping up the sauce, because people won't want to leave a drop on their plates.
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