Seared Salmon with Winter Vegetables and Kombu Broth

A elegant dish featuring crispy-skinned salmon served in a delicate kombu broth with tender winter vegetables including butternut squash, turnips, and shallots. The vermouth adds depth while the lemon brings brightness to this warming meal.

6 servings
1 hr 13 min

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
  • 1 small yellow onion, halved through root
  • 1 bunch baby turnips
  • 3 large shallots
  • 1 piece ginger
  • 3 ounces kombu
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup dry vermouth
  • ½ small butternut squash
  • 6 pieces skin-on salmon fillet
  • to taste black pepper
  • 1 whole lemon
  • halved

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, cut sides down, and cook, undisturbed, until dark brown, about 5 minutes.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Transfer onion to a large Dutch oven or other large pot and add turnips, shallots, ginger, kombu, 1 tablespoon salt, and 8 cups water. Bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil or broth will be bitter) and cook until broth is light golden and onion is soft, 40-50 minutes.

    45 min

  3. 3.

    Add vermouth to broth and simmer 5 minutes. Remove onion and kombu; discard. Add squash and simmer until just softened, 12-15 minutes. Add turnip greens and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 2 minutes.

    20 min

  4. 4.

    Meanwhile, season salmon with salt and pepper. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook salmon, skin side down, until skin is very crisp, about 2 minutes. Turn salmon and cook 30 seconds longer (salmon will be rare; it will continue to cook in the hot broth). Spoon broth and vegetables into shallow bowls and top with salmon, skin side up; squeeze lemon over.

    3 min

  5. 5.

    DO AHEAD: Broth and vegetables (without turnip greens) can be made 1 day ahead. Reheat and add greens just before serving.