When the opportunity arises—as it did with this salmon—we can't resist a little trompe l'oeil, a chance to have some harmless fun with our food, because, well, food is fun. And with Hanukkah being a particularly kid-friendly holiday, we know children and adults alike will get a big kick out of the edible potato "scales" that top these individual slabs of salmon. Your budding young chefs will love arranging the scales on the fish.
Editor's Note: This recipe is part of Gourmet's Modern Menu for A Hanukkah Feast. Menu also includes Swiss Chard with Horseradish and Apple Fritters with Orange Glaze .
•Fish with "scales" can be prepared (but not cooked) up to 3 hours ahead. Keep chilled, covered with plastic wrap.
•:There are varying thoughts on whether it's easier to cook the fish skin side down first or potato side down first. Author Melissa Roberts found it easier to cook it skin side down first, while Gourmet Live staffers leaned towards cooking it potato side down first. Because you are cooking the fish in batches, try both ways and see which works best for you.
•A slotted spatula is a pancake turner, whether it's metal or silicone-coated. Turning fish fillets over is even easier with a fish turner or fish spatula, which has more and longer slots than a regular slotted spatula.
