SALMON AND ARTICHOKES RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 220ºC/425ºF/gas 7. Line a large baking tray with greaseproof paper and rub with a little oil.
  2. Lay 8 pieces (roughly an arm’s length each) of butcher’s string at 5cm intervals widthways across the tray, then place one salmon fillet on top, skin side down.
  3. Toast the almonds in a dry frying pan until golden, tossing regularly, then tip into a food processor. Peel, roughly chop and add the garlic, finely grate in the lemon zest, then tear in the ciabatta. Season with black pepper, then pulse until finely chopped. Carefully layer the crumbs over the salmon.
  4. Halve 1 lemon. Trim the fresh artichoke stalks 2cm from the base. Peel away the tough outer leaves until you reach the paler ones that are tender enough to eat, then trim the heads to 3cm, rubbing with the cut lemon as you go to prevent discoloration.
  5. Halve them, scoop out and discard the hairy chokes, then finely slice. Drain and roughly slice the jarred artichoke hearts, reserving the oil.
  6. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of artichoke oil into a large frying pan on a high heat and fry all the artichokes for 2 minutes. Pick and roughly chop the mint leaves, scatter into the pan, then remove from the heat.
  7. Spoon the artichoke mixture evenly over the breadcrumb layer, drizzle with 1 more tablespoon of artichoke oil, then lay the other salmon fillet on top, skin side up. Arrange the bacon on top in a criss-cross pattern, and sprinkle over the thyme sprigs.
  8. Tie the string up and around both fillets to secure the filling. Drizzle over a little extra artichoke oil and sprinkle any excess crumbs back over.
  9. Place in the middle of the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the bacon and salmon skin are golden and crisp.
  10. Rest for 10 minutes, then serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over. Delicious with buttered new potatoes and a crisp green salad.

Steps:

• Place fillets on a large piece of heavy-duty foil (about 18x12 in.), skin side down. Sprinkle with lemon zest, salt and pepper; top with white portion of green onions. Fold foil around fish, sealing tightly. Grill, covered, over medium-high heat until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 7-9 minutes., Meanwhile, place artichoke hearts, lemon juice and cheese in a food processor; process until smooth. To serve, open foil carefully to allow steam to escape. Remove salmon to serving plates, leaving skin on foil. Top fillets with artichoke mixture; sprinkle with remaining green onion.