Roasted Salmon and Rhubarb

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The astringency of the rhubarb makes a good foil for the richness and unctuousness of the salmon. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a splash of dry white wine. Precede this course with a beet salad and serve the salmon with crusty bread or a potato gratin.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. rhubarb, cut into 1-inch chunks (about 4
      cups)
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • Splash of dry white wine (optional)
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon, or to taste
  • 6 salmon fillets, each 6 oz. and about
      1 inch thick, pin bones removed
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 500°F or its highest temperature.

In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the rhubarb, sugar and wine. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb is tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, about 30 minutes, adding water if necessary. Add the lemon juice. The sauce should be fairly thin.

Put the salmon fillets, skin side down, on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast until the fillets are almost opaque throughout, 17 to 20 minutes.

Spoon the rhubarb onto the center of 6 warmed plates. Lift the fillets from the baking sheet, leaving the skin behind. Place the fillets on the rhubarb and serve immediately. Serves 6.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma TASTE (February 2001), "Sweet Tart," by Fran Gage.