Serves 2
“This simple baked salmon is served with one of my favorite sides, endive gently cooked until tender and caramelized. My wife liked her salmon very rare, whereas I prefer it a little more cooked. The cooking time for the salmon will really depend on the thickness of the pieces and your preference.” —Jacques Pépin
Ingredients:
1 large Belgian endive, about 7 ounces
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Salt
Dash sugar
1 tablespoon ketchup
½ teaspoon toasted sesame seed oil
Dash hot oil or other hot sauce
2 pieces salmon, about 5-ounces each
1 tablespoon chopped chives or flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
Method:
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Place the endive, water, butter, salt and sugar in a medium skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, covered, until most of the water has evaporated and the endive is nicely caramelized, 7 to 8 minutes.
To make the sauce, in a small bowl, combine the ketchup, sesame oil, hot oil and a dash of salt.
If the salmon is thicker at one end than the other, tuck the thinner belly portion underneath. Coat each portion on both sides with the sauce and place in a small sauté pan, ovenproof pan or dish. Bake until cooked to your liking, 5 to 10 minutes.
To serve, arrange the endive and salmon on a platter, and sprinkle with the chives or parsley. Serve immediately.