Bean Salad with Fresh Salmon and Dill

SERVINGS: 4

•BASIC-EASY

Cannellini beans dressed with good olive oil are a staple first course in trattorias. Combine them with salmon and dill—two very un-Italian ingredients—and you get an elegant main course with clean, direct flavors.

Plus: More Seafood Recipes and Tips

1 1/2 cups dried cannellini beans (10 ounces), soaked overnight and drained
1 samll onion, halved
1 carrot, halved
4 garlic cloves, lightly smashed
2 bay leaves
1 medium fennel bulb, finely diced, stalks, core and fronds reserved
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1/2 cup good fruity olive oil
Two 8-ounce skinless salmon fillets

Place the beans in a large pot. Add 2 quarts of water and the onion, carrot, garlic, bay leaves and the reserved fennel stalks and core. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to very low, cover and simmer until the beans are tender, about 1 hour. Season the beans with salt and pepper during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Drain the beans and discard all the cooked vegetables. Coarsely chop the fennel fronds. Transfer the beans to a large serving platter and, while still warm, add the dill, diced fennel bulb, fennel fronds and all but 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss gently to combine.
In a medium nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season the salmon on both sides with salt and pepper, add the fish to the skillet and cook over moderate heat on 1 side until brown and crusty, about 3 minutes. Gently flip the salmon and cook on the other side until just cooked through, about 4 minutes. Transfer the salmon to a plate to cool slightly. Break the salmon into large flakes and toss gently with the beans. Serve the salad warm or at room temperature.

Make Ahead The beans can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before proceeding to Step 3.

Suggested Pairing

A round, full-bodied white, such as Falesco Grechetto or Mazzocco River Lane, a California Chardonnay, would set off the flavors of this mild but savory salad and complement the richness of the salmon and the olive oil dressing.

Bean Salad with Fresh Salmon and Dill

Suggested Pairing

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