Achiote Rubbed SousVide Salmon
with Chorizo Arepa, Poblano Chile Sauce and Mango Salsa
Courtesy of Chef Lenard Rubin
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
For the salmon
- 4 small salmon filets, about 1/2-inch (1.5 cm) thick
- 1 cup Achiote Rub (recipe follows)
- 4 tablespoons (60 ml) olive oil
- 4 each Chorizo Arepa, warm (recipe follows)
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) unsalted butter
- 20 asparagus spears
- 1 cup (240 ml) Poblano Sauce, warm (recipe follows)
- 1 cup Mango Salsa (recipe follows)
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
For the achiote rub
- 3/4 cup (90 g) ground achiote (annatto)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sherry vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 1 lemon (for juice)
- 1 lime (for juice)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) frozen orange juice concentrate
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
For the chorizo arepas
- 6 ounces (170 g) mild beef chorizo
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 8 ounces (228 g) frozen corn kernels, thawed
- 6-1/2 tablespoons (70 g) pre-cooked corn meal (masarepa, harina precocida)
- 6-1/2 tablespoons (78 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (2 ¼ ounces/64 g) white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 tablespoon (7.5 ml) milk
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
For the poblano chile sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 small shallot, peeled and chopped
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped
- 2 poblano chiles, roasted, peeled, de-seeded, chopped
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) sherry wine
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon (14 g) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (10 g) cilantro leaves
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
For the mango salsa
- 1/2 cup (125 g) fresh mango, peeled and diced small
- 1/4 cup (65 g) tomato, diced small
- 1 tablespoon (12 g) red onion, peeled and diced small
- 1 tablespoon (3 g) green onion, chopped small
- 1/2 teaspoon (1.5 g) jalapeno, minced fine
- 1 tablespoon (2.5 g) cilantro, chopped
- 1 lemon (for juice)
- 1lime (for juice)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) chili powder
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
For the salmon
- Prepare in advance the Achiote Rub, Mango Salsa, and Poblano Sauce. Prepare the Chorizo Arepas batter and refrigerate the uncooked arepas (recipes follow.)
- Fill and preheat the SousVide Supreme to 140F/60C.
- Rub the top and sides of the salmon filets with the Achiote Rub
- Put the salmon filets into two cooking pouches in a single layer, slightly separated from each other and vacuum seal.
- Submerge the sealed pouches in the water bath (using the pouch rack to keep them separated) and cook for 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes remove the pouches from the water bath; remove the salmon and pat the filets dry. Just before you are ready to sear the salmon (step 9) cook the arepas:
- Remove the arepas from the refrigerator
- Preheat the traditional oven to 350F/176C
- On the stovetop heat oil on a griddle or non-stick pan and cook the apreas until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side.
- Remove them to a baking sheet and put them into the oven to cook for another 7 minutes
- Meanwhile, toss the butter into a separate hot skillet and cook the asparagus until just crisp tender. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat an oiled grill, grill pan, or char broiler to high heat.
- Lightly rub the salmon filets with half the portion of olive oil and sear on a hot grill or char broiler for about 30 seconds to 1 minute to create grill marks and a savory flavor.
- Turn at a 45° angle to create a cross-mark, and sear for another 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- To serve, pool Poblano Sauce on the plate, add an arepa, lean asparagus across the arepa, and position the salmon on asparagus and arepa; top with the Mango Salsa
For the achiote rub
- Put all ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth
For the chorizo arepas
- Heat olive oil in a sauté pan and add the chorizo; stir frequently and cook thoroughly.
- Remove from heat, drain excess fat, and chill.
- Puree corn in food processor
- In a mixing bowl, mix pureed corn together with all other ingredients, except chorizo.
- Spoon mixture into a 2-1/2 inch (6 cm) biscuit cutter, filling half way up
- Put a small amount of chorizo in the center
- Fill the cutter the rest of the way to the top with the arepa mixture and transfer arepa to a small tray. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking (in step 6 above.)
For the poblano chile sauce
- On the stovetop, heat the olive oil in saucepan.
- Add the shallots and garlic and cook until caramelized.
- Add the poblano chilies and continue to cook for 2 minutes.
- Reduce the heat, add the sherry (be careful as the sherry may ignite), and reduce by half.
- Add cream and reduce by one-third.
- Put the poblano cream mixture, butter, cilantro, salt and pepper into blender and puree until smooth
- Strain through fine strainer.
- Check seasoning, adjusting with salt and pepper as needed.
- If not used immediately, cool, cover, and refrigerate. Rewarm on the stovetop before serving.
For the mango salsa
- In a bowl, mix all ingredients together well.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Cover and refrigerate until serving.