“This was a surprisingly straightforward and delicious way to warm up on a chilly lakeside outing,” says Cosco. “Polenta requires only a little bit of heat, a 1:4 cornmeal-to-water ratio, and a generous portion of Parmesan to be delicious. I like to add a bit of ‘luxury’ by adding a stock cube and a knob of butter to the boiling water.” His twist on a classic gremolata uses fish-friendly dill and parsley and cuts through the creamy richness of the polenta, itself a counterpoint to the crispy-skinned salmon.
Crispier salmon skin
The trick to getting that perfectly crispy skin is to sprinkle fillets with salt as soon as you’ve cleaned them. While you prep the vegetables, the salt removes excess moisture, which you can wipe off with paper towel (to be used as fire-starter) just before searing.
Better bouillon
Look for a low-sodium stock cube without preservatives.
Salmon, Polenta, and Charred Vine Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 4 cups (1 L) water
- 1 vegetable (or chicken) bouillon stock cube
- 1 Tbsp (15 mL) butter
- 1 cup (250 mL) cornmeal
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) grated Parmesan
- Salt and pepper
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped fresh parsley
- 10 on-the-vine cherry tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp (15 mL) canola oil or other high-smoke oil
- 4 - 4 oz (113 g) salmon fillets, with skin
- Pinch of fleur de sel or kosher salt, to garnish
Nutrition
Per serving:
- calories364
- protein32 g
- total fat14 g
- sat. fat6 g
- total carbohydrates30 g
- sugars2 g
- fibre5 g
- sodium508 mg
Directions
01
For polenta, in medium saucepan, bring water to a boil, then add stock cube and butter. Whisk in cornmeal and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, covered, stirring every few minutes, depending on how hot the fire is. If polenta starts to stick or burn, reduce heat or add water. Whisk in Parmesan. Season, to taste, and set aside pot.
02
Meanwhile, for gremolata, in medium bowl, combine lemon juice and zest with garlic, chopped dill, parsley, and pinch of salt.
03
Over medium-high, heat 12 in (30 cm) cast iron skillet. Be patient; the pan is hot enough when you place a hand above it and feel a fair bit of heat, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes, still on the vine, and cook until lightly charred but not bursting. Remove tomatoes from pan.
04
For salmon, add oil to pan. When hot, add salmon, skin side down. Cook until the line of opacity reaches halfway up the side of salmon, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute longer. If the two lines of opacity meet, the fish will be overcooked, so remove them sooner rather than later.
05
To serve, plate polenta and fish and top with gremolata, and place tomatoes on the vine alongside. Sprinkle with fleur de sel or kosher salt.
Theodore D. Cosco, PhD (Cantab) CPsychol, is an Assistant Professor of Mental Health and Aging (Simon Fraser University) and Research Fellow (Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford).
