Preparation / Directions:
For the Sauce: Wash the asparagus and snap off the white ends. Set aside all tops and half that number of ends. Plunge the tops into a large pot of salted, boiling water and cook until limp but not for too long. (Note: Cook slightly longer than for eating. If undercooked, they will not process well; if overcooked, they will taste earthy.) Drain the asparagus thoroughly and, while still hot, run it through food processor with unsalted butter for 3 - 4 minutes until smooth, scraping down the sides of the processor frequently.
Meanwhile, chop asparagus ends to remove the dry hard field cuts and simmer with cream. Cook the ends slowly for 20 minutes, then strain, pressing through gently. Just before serving, combine asparagus, butter and cream. Heat slowly to just below boiling point. Adjust the seasonings to taste.
To Assemble: Salt and pepper the salmon steaks. Melt the butter in a heavy enamel or copper sauté pan. When the butter begins to brown, add salmon and cook one side for 30 seconds.
Remove the pan from heat, turn the salmon carefully, and let cook in the hot pan off of the heat for 30 seconds. Salmon will still be quite rare. If you like your fish done more, add to the cooking time slightly. Don't overcook! The salmon loses a lot of flavor when overcooked.
Place the salmon on a towel (cloth or paper) to drain.
Just before you finish cooking the salmon, spoon some of the sauce onto heated plates; then place the cooked drained salmon on top of the sauce and serve immediately.
Source: Great Chefs of San Francisco, Avon Books, 1984 Chef: Bruce LeFavour, Rose et Le Favour, St. Helena, Napa Valley, California Pastry Chef: Ann McKa
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