After December, the month of excess, it’s always lovely to hit January with clean-eating recipes. This recipe is simple, but complex in flavors, thanks to Yotam Ottolenghi’s divine combination of “salsa” ingredients.
⅔ cup currants
A generous pinch of saffron
4 salmon fillets (about 4 ounces each), skin on
About 1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and black pepper
4 sticks celery (about 6 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch dice, leaves removed and reserved for garnish
¼ cup pine nuts, roughly chopped
A scant 1/4 cup drained capers, plus 2 tablespoons of their brine
8 large green olives, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch/1-centimeter dice
⅓ cup parsley, roughly chopped
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1 tsp lemon juice
Cover the currants with boiling water and set aside to soak for 20 minutes. In a separate small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of boiling water with the saffron and also leave for 20 minutes or longer.
Gently rub the salmon fillets with 2 teaspoons of the oil, 1/3 teaspoon of salt and a good grind of pepper. Set aside while you make the relish.
Add 1/3 cup of olive oil to a large sauté pan over high heat. Add the celery and pine nuts and fry for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the nuts begin to brown (watch carefully as they can burn quickly).
Turn off heat and stir in the capers and their brine, the olives, saffron and its water and a pinch of salt. Drain the currants and add them as well, along with the parsley, lemon zest and juice. Mix well and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add salmon fillets skin-side down and let cook for 3 minutes, until the skin is crisp. Reduce the heat to medium, flip the fillets over and cook 2 to 4 minutes more (depending on how much you like the salmon to be cooked).
Divide the salmon on 4 plates and serve with the warm relish spooned on top. Scatter reserved celery leaves (if using) and serve immediately.