Salmon Torta (Torta di salmone)

Prep time (pastry): 25 minutes
Prep time (salmon): 25 to 30 minutes
Inactive Prep Time (baking): 25 to 30 minutes
Serves: 6

Many Roman Catholics are presently observing Lent (a period of fasting that takes place 40 days prior to Easter). This means they're staying away from meat, dairy products and/or sugar. For my fellow Italians as well as people of other cultures, fish replaces meat.

Here's a fantastic recipe that I've taught in my recent culinary courses - Salmon Torta. Btw, "salmon en croute" is an Italian invention called "torta di salmone".

Enjoy this Torta di salmone not just on Good Friday, but anytime you wish to make a great impression on someone. The flavors of dried cherries, nutmeg, cinnamon and mint in the salmon stuffing will astound them all!

Ingredients for the Pastry:
1-1/2 cups all-purpose, unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash ground black pepper
1 large egg, beaten with 1/3 cup cold water in a small bowl

1. In a 2-quart mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt and pepper.

2. Make a well in center of flour mixture. Add the beaten egg mixture to the well.

3. Using a fork, gradually (a little at a time) mix in the flour from sides of well until a soft dough forms.

4. With one hand holding the bowl, use the other hand to pick up the mound of dough and gently knead it inside the bowl, grabbing a little flour at a time.

5. When the dough is smooth and soft, set it aside on a floured surface, covered with an overturned bowl.

6. Pass the remaining flour in bowl through a sieve and set it aside (it will be used later to roll out the dough). Meanwhile prepare-

Ingredients for the Salmon Filets:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound fresh salmon filets, cut into four pieces (each measuring about 4X3 inches)
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons minced yellow or white onion
1/3 cup minced fresh, Italian flat-leaf parsley
1/3 cup minced fresh mint leaves
1/3 cup dried, tart, pitted cherries, minced with shears
1 teaspoon salt
Dash each ground black pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon
2 tablespoons dried breadcrumbs
1 large egg

1. Line a 12X18-inch baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

2. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the oil. When the oil is hot but not smoking, add the salmon filets and sear them on medium-high heat. DO NOT TOUCH THE FILETS FOR 60 TO 90 SECONDS.

3. After 60 to 90 seconds, using a spatula, GENTLY TURN OVER THE FILETS. DO NOT TOUCH THE FILETS FOR 60 TO 90 SECONDS.

4. After 60 to 90 seconds, transfer the skillet with salmon filets to a cold burner or surface; set aside.

5. In a 1-pint mixing bowl, combine the garlic, onion, parsley, mint leaves and cherries; set aside.

Roll Out the Pastry and Assemble the Torta-

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Holding the pastry dough between both hands, flatten it to a 6-inch roundish rectangle. Lay it on a flat, lightly floured surface.

2. Lightly flouring the top of the flattened pastry dough, begin rolling it out. After every 2 to 3 rolls, CAREFULLY FLIP PASTRY CIRCLE OVER AND ONTO THE LIGHTLY FLOURED SURFACE.

3. Continue rolling out the pastry circle UNTIL IT BECOMES A RECTANGLE, measuring 16X10 inches.

4. Carefully transfer the rolled-out pastry rectangle onto the parchment-lined baking sheet; set aside.

5. Prepare a bed for the fish filets by placing half of the onion-herb mixture in the center of the pastry rectangle, forming a horizontal row (across).

6. Place the seared salmon filets over the row of onion-herb mixture.

7. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg evenly over the salmon filets.

8. Distribute the breadcrumbs evenly over the spices covering the filets.

9. Spread the remaining onion-herb mixture over the row of filets.

10. Close one long side of the pastry over the stuffed filets. Fold over the other pastry flap.

11. Turn the short sides of the pastry underneath the salmon torta; set aside. If desired, using a sharp, pointed knife, cut out leaf shapes from scraps of dough and place them on top of salmon torta.

Make the Egg Wash-

1. Crack the egg over a small bowl, discarding egg white. Using a fork, mix the egg yolk with 1 teaspoon cold water and set it aside.

2. With a sharp knife, cut 4 to 5 slits on pastry top of the salmon torta. Brush top of salmon torta with the egg wash.

3. Place baking sheet with the salmon torta on a rack positioned in center of preheated oven.

4. Bake the salmon torta for 25 to 30 minutes. After 25 minutes, check to see if pastry has turned light golden brown. If it is still pale, bake the salmon torta for an additional 5 to 8 minutes.

5. Immediately transfer the salmon torta in baking sheet to a counter; let it cool for 6 to 8 minutes before cutting.

6. Cut six 3-inch slices, placing each one on a dinner plate, accompanied by A Side of Carrots and Green Beans (previously published on this blog). Alternatively, serve with other types of vegetables.

White wine pairing suggestion: chilled Pinot Grigio. 

Text and Photograph ©2013 Nancy DeLucia Real

Leprechan Pudding Cake

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_Commons

File for Rainbow Leprechan Image is filed under Creative Commons-Attribution Share Alike 3.0 Unported License

Prep time: 15 to 20 minutes

Bake time: 25 to 35 minutes

Makes One 9-inch round cake

For Saint Patrick's Day this year, I feel like cake - but a healthy kind. Along the lines of carrot cake, I decided to use a neutral vegetable that would also serve as a natural colorant. You got it - spinach!

The end result is a moist cake with a texture as smooth as pudding. Moms - when your little Leprechans eat this delicious cake, they'll have energy to play for hours. Just be sure to serve this cake early in the day - lol!

Ingredients:

2/3 cup thawed spinach, packed (thaw a package of frozen spinach first, drain it and then measure)

2 large eggs

1/3 cup cold water

1-3/4 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup granulated sugar

4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1/4 cup vegetable oil (safflower or sunflower preferred)

1/2 cup milk (whole or 2% milk fat)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar)

Candy sprinkles (nonpareils)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch springform or regular cake pan; set aside.

2. In a blender, purée the spinach with 1 egg and 1/3 cup water until mixture becomes creamy and uniform. If needed, add 1 to 2 more tablespoons water until spinach mixture is uniform. Set aside for later use (you will only need 1 cup of this spinach mixture).

2. In a 1-quart bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

3. In a stand mixer or in a 4-quart mixing bowl using a hand mixer, beat together 1 cup of  the spinach mixture, sugar, cream cheese, vegetable oil, milk and vanilla.

4. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients and beat until batter is smooth.

5. Pour the batter into prepared pan.

6. Place the pan on a rack positioned in center of oven.

7. Bake the cake for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, insert a knife in center of cake. If knife comes out clean, the cake is done. If not, bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes and test doneness again. 

8. If needed, bake for an additional 5 minutes.

9. Cool Leprechan Cake completely.

10. Mix 1 cup confectioners' sugar with 2 to 3 tablespoons milk to make a glaze. Pour it over cake and decorate with candy sprinkles.

Text and Cake Photograph ©2013 Nancy DeLucia Real

Onion Soup Gratinée (Soupe à l'Oignon)

Active Prep time: 20 to 25 minutes
Inactive Prep time (cooking): 50 to 60 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

I sure miss the onion soup from Au Petit Poucet Restaurant in Quebec (see January 14, 2013 post on this blog).  The restaurant's soup ingredients include Brandy and red wine. Inspired by this fact, I just had to make it that way, too. And I'm so glad I did - Bon Appetit!

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
8 large yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced
3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
8 cups beef stock
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1/4 cup Brandy liqueur
1/4 cup dry red wine
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
1 sprig fresh thyme leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 to 6 thick slices French baguette (slices should be 1 to 1-1/2 inches thick)
1-1/2 cups (5 to 6 ounces) grated Gruyère cheese
6 to 8 sprigs fresh, Italian flat-leaf parsley

1. Place a large (8-quart) saucepot on stove burner which is set on medium heat.

2. In the saucepot, melt the butter or heat the oil.

3. Stir in the onion slices and sauté the mixture for about 15 minutes or until onions are translucent and wilted. (Note: do not let onions turn brown. If this happens at the start, reduce heat.)

4. Add the sugar and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until onions are caramelized.

5. Stir in the stock, garlic, Brandy, red wine and Worcestershire sauce.

6. Bind the bay and thyme leaves with twine. Add the bundled herbs to the stock mixture in sauce pot. Simmer the soup for about 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in the salt and pepper, to taste.

7. Preheat oven broiler (top grill element).

8. Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet and place about 6 inches away from oven broiler. Broil the bread slices 2 to 3 minutes per side or until golden brown (stand by and watch this process carefully to avoid charring the bread).

9. Place 4 to 6 ovenproof bowls or crocks on a baking sheet. Discard the herb bundle from the soup. Ladle the soup and fill the bowls to 2/3 full.

10. Place a slice of toasted bread on top of each bowl. Sprinkle the soups evenly with the grated Gruyere.

11. Carefully set the baking sheet with the soup bowls 6 inches away from oven broiler element. Broil about 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is golden brown.

12. Garnish each soup with a fresh parsley sprig and serve immediately.

Wine pairing suggestion: Bordeaux or Meursault (both reds).
Text and Photograph ©2013 Nancy DeLucia Real