SALMON, ASPARAGUS AND BOW TIE PASTA IN A SHERRY CREAM SAUCE

This beautiful pasta dish is full of delicate flavors that would be scrumptious on their own, but together they become a culinary symphony!  

Just perfect for Spring...

Sprinkled with herbs, the visual effect is sublime!

It is certainly company worthy, but don't just save it for weekend guests! This makes a wonderful week night meal too... and the leftovers are a lunchtime treat!

The salmon is gently poached and the asparagus oven roasted to coax out the best flavor. They are joined by bow tie pasta and mixed into a creamy, but not heavy sherry sauce. A handful of toasted pine nuts and herbs are tossed in to bring a buttery nutty crunch and brightness to the dish!

This dish got a "10" from my family! I hope you try it too!  

StoneGable Salmon, Asparagus And Bow Tie Pasta In Sherry Cream

1~  1  1/2 lb salmon fillet

lemon

1 lb asparagus, rinsed and woody ends cut off

2 TBS olive oil

salt 

1 ~ 12 oz. box bow tie pasta, cooked as directed on the box and drained (reserve 1 cup of pasta liquid)

4 TBS butter

6 TBS flour

1/4 tsp salt

dash of pepper

1/4 tsp dry mustard

2 cups warmed milk (I use 1%)

1 cup half and half (I use fat free)

1 egg yolks

1/4~ 1/3 cup cream sherry (I use Harvey's Bristol Cream)

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

2 TBS chopped chives

1 TBS chopped parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Put rinsed and cut asparagus on a large rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle with olive oil and salt. Roast for 15-20 minutes until just slightly browned. Remove from oven and set aside.

Meanwhile, poach salmon in a large pan of simmering water with the juice of 1 lemon. DO NOT OVERPOACH! I leave the center of my fillet slightly pink, it will continue to poach. Remove from the pan to a plate and tent with foil.

Wipe out the large skillet and melt the butter over a medium heat. When the butter is melted, sprinkle the flour over the butter and stir to combine. Cook for 3 minutes and add the dry mustard,  1/4 tsp salt and a dash of pepper.

Slowly add the warmed milk and whisk. Add the half and half and whisk. Continue to stir until the sauce thickens. 

Whisk the egg in a large bowl until creamy and yellow.

Spoon out 1 cup of the hot sauce into the egg in a steady stream, whisk the egg mixture vigorously!

Add the mixture to the sauce and whisk.  Cook until thick and hot. Remove from heat and add the cream sherry. If the sauce is too thick add enough of the reserved pasta water to give it the right consistency.

Return to the heat and cook for a couple of minute longer.

Flake the salmon into large chunks and cut the asparagus into 1 inch pieces. 

Put the bow tie pasta into a big bowl. Add the sherry cream sauce. Gentle toss in the flaked salmon and asparagus. Gently mix without breaking apart the salmon.

Plate in large shallow bowls. Sprinkle with pine nuts and herbs.

Remember to