Grilled Salmon with Fennel and Creole Mustard Spaetzle

Contributed by Mat Wolf

ACTIVE: 1 HR 15 MIN
TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 40 MIN
SERVINGS: 4

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2 medium fennel bulbs, cut into 8 wedges each
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons Pernod or other anise-flavored liqueur
1 cup heavy cream
4 whole star anise, crushed
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1 1/2 tablespoons fine dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Two 12-ounce center-cut skinless salmon fillets, butterflied (see Note)
Creole Mustard Spaetzle

Preheat the oven to 425°. In a medium roasting pan, toss the fennel with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast the fennel for 30 minutes, turning halfway through, or until tender and browned.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the Pernod to a boil. Add the cream and star anise and simmer over moderate heat until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 8 minutes. Strain the cream and season with salt and pepper.
Light a grill. In a small skillet, melt the butter. Add the shallot and garlic and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Stir in the lemon and orange zests, bread crumbs and parsley and let cool.
Spread open the salmon fillets, season them with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the parsley mixture. Starting at the thinner end, roll each fillet into a log. Tie each log at each end with kitchen string, then cut each log into 2 equal pieces; you should have 4 rolls secured with kitchen string.
Season the salmon rolls with salt and pepper and grill over a medium-hot fire for 6 minutes, turning once. Move the salmon rolls to indirect heat and continue grilling until just barely cooked through, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate and carefully remove the strings. Rewarm the fennel and the Pernod cream sauce.
Spoon the Creole Mustard Spaetzle onto 4 large plates. Set the salmon on the spaetzle, arrange the fennel wedges around it and spoon the sauce around the fish. Serve right away.

Make Ahead The recipe can be prepared 1 day ahead through Step 4. Refrigerate the fennel, sauce and salmon rolls separately. Return the salmon to room temperature before grilling and rewarm the fennel and sauce before serving. Notes To butterfly the salmon, make a horizontal slice at the thinnest side of the fillet, cutting three-quarters of the way through toward the thicker side. Alternatively, have your fishmonger butterfly the fillets for you.

Suggested Pairing

An Italian white with a smoky, floral note, such as an Arneis, will echo the fennel in this dish.

Grilled Salmon with Fennel and Creole Mustard Spaetzle

Suggested Pairing

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