the naked grape

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PAN SEARED SALMON

 

Notes From Our Guest Blogger:

 

Salmon is one of my favorite types of fish. I think you either love it or hate it, and I clearly love it! If there's a special from one of my favorite restaurants that includes salmon, it's usually a sure bet that I am going to order it. It's just too good to pass up. Especially when it's fresh and has that wonderful bright pink color! If you're not a salmon fan, halibut is great option too!

Another thing that makes salmon so awesome is that you can really pair it with any number of sauces. Back in my culinary school days, I was tasked with making red wine sauces quite frequently. I would sway back and forth on what type of red wine makes my favorite kind of sauce, but in the end I really love the depth that a Pinot Noir brings to the table. The Naked Grapes Pinot Noir is rich with flavors like black cherry and blueberry and seriously reduces to the most perfect sauce I've ever made.

Not only could you make this rustic Pinot Noir sauce for salmon, but it would work wonders on a great grilled steak too! What I really love about this sauce is that I keep it rustic. A lot of red wine sauces have the aromatics strained out before you serve it, but I like to keep the shallots and the garlic in the sauce to give it a bit of rustic flare! Anyway, who doesn't love garlic and shallots? Am I right!

This dinner is simple yet lovely. You can easily size this down for a romantic night in for 2, or keep it as it reads for a fun dinner with your friends and family.

This deliciously naked recipe was created by our guest blogger Gaby Dalkin.

 

Directions:

 

  • In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic, dried thyme and freshly ground black pepper and stir, cooking for about 1 minute more until fragrant.
  • Add the wine and balsamic vinegar to the skillet over high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Continue to boil the mixture for about 10-15 minutes until the liquid has reduced to about a few tablespoons and the liquid looks like a syrup.
  • Remove the pan from the heat, and whisk in the cream and butter until smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper and set aside to cool to room temperature.
  • In a large cast iron skillet, add the remaining olive oil over medium high heat.
  • Season the salmon filets with salt and pepper on both sides and add them into the cast iron skillet skinned side up. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side until both sides have a slight golden brown crust and the fish is just opaque in the center.
  • Transfer the salmon to their serving plates or platter and spoon the sauce on top of the fish. Season with salt and pepper as needed, and serve.
  • Serving suggestion: Sautéed or roasted broccolini

 

Ingredients (Serves 4):

 

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups The Naked Grape Pinot Noir
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Four 6-ounce skinless salmon fillets