Skip to main content

Salmon Steaks with Littleneck Clams and Saffron-Mint Broth

5.0

(1)

This recipe was created by chef Michael Kornick of MK Restaurant in Chicago. It's part of a special menu he created for Epicurious's Wine.Dine.Donate program.

Cook's note:

If you prefer, the salmon steaks can be baked instead of grilled. Bake them at 400°F on a large rimmed baking sheet until just opaque in center, about 10 minutes.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped (from 2 bunches)
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
1 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 (1-inch-thick) salmon steaks, preferably sockeye or another wild variety
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 medium fennel bulb, stalks cut off and discarded, and bulb cored and thinly sliced lengthwise
1 medium sweet onion, such as Vidalia, thinly sliced
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon saffron threads
32 small (less than 2 inches wide) hard-shelled clams such as littleneck*, scrubbed (about 3 1/2 pounds total)
*If littleneck clams are unavailable, Manila or brown-shelled may be substituted.

Special Equipment

charcoal or gas grill

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In large sealable plastic bag, combine chives, basil, tarragon, parsley, 2 tablespoons mint, garlic, and 3/4 cup olive oil. Add salmon and seal bag, pressing out air. Turn bag to coat salmon, then refrigerate, turning bag over occasionally, at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours. (Alternatively, marinate salmon in large glass baking dish.)

    Step 2

    Preheat grill to moderate heat.

    Step 3

    Remove fish from marinade and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill steaks, turning once, until just opaque in center, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to platter and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.

    Step 4

    In 6-quart heavy stock pot over moderate heat, heat remaining 1/2 cup olive oil until hot but not smoking. Add fennel and onion and sauté until just soft, about 2 minutes. Add wine, butter, saffron, remaining 1/2 cup mint, and clams, cover and bring to boil. Cook until clams open, about 10 minutes. Discard any clams that have not opened.

    Step 5

    Place 1 piece salmon on center of each of 8 wide shallow bowls. Spoon clams, broth, onions, and fennel around salmon and serve immediately.

Read More
Cured fish, cream, and lemon make an elegant base for this unexpected one-pot pasta.
Salmoriglio is a Mediterranean sauce with herbs, garlic, and olive oil. In this version, kelp is used as the base of the sauce.
With elderflower liqueur, mint, and prosecco, the effervescent Hugo spritz cocktail is a hit year round, but particularly on warm nights.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.
An espresso-and-cumin-spiked rub (or brine) gives this smoked chicken impressive flavor.
An ex-boyfriend’s mom—who emigrated from Colombia—made the best meat sauce—she would fry sofrito for the base and simply add cooked ground beef, sazón, and jarred tomato sauce. My version is a bit more bougie—it calls for caramelized tomato paste and white wine—but the result is just as good.
The mussels here add their beautiful, briny juices into the curry, which turn this into a stunning and spectacular dish.
Spaghetti is a common variation in modern Thai cooking. It’s so easy to work with and absorbs the garlicky, spicy notes of pad kee mao well.