Canada Maple Glazed Salmon

Candied Pecans:

2 oz. pecans, shelled, pieces
2 tsp. whole butter, unsalted
1 tbs. apple juice
½ tbs. turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)
pinch kosher salt

Salmon:

8 ea. 3 oz. salmon pieces (scales removed, skin on)
2 fl. oz. canola oil
6 oz. cleaned watercress
2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 oz. candied pecans
8 fl oz. maple glaze
kosher salt
black pepper

Maple Glaze:

7 fl oz. maple syrup, pure
1 tbs. honey, orange blossom
2 tbs. brown sugar, light
pinch kosher salt
pinch black pepper, fresh ground

Method of Preparation for Pecans:

Heat butter in a small saucepan over a medium high heat, until it just starts brown. Immediately add pecans stirring continuously. Stir 5-7 minutes until pecans are toasted. Once pecans have toasted, add apple juice stirring constantly. When nearly all the apple juice has been reduced add the sugar and keep stirring until the pecans have been well coated, take caution not to burn the sugar. Once pecans are well coated, turn out on to a cooling tray are all spaced apart to even cool. Allow pecans to completely cool in a low humidity environment. Reserve for salmon.

Method of Preparation for Glaze:

Combine all ingredients in small saucepan and heat over low heat. Heat just long enough to incorporate all ingredients and for sugar to liquefy. Remove from heat and reserve warm for salmon. Maple Glazed Salmon.

Method of Preparation for Salmon:

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Place watercress in lightly iced water, to rinse and refresh. Remove from iced water and completely dry in salad spinner or between paper towels, set aside. Remove any moisture from the salmon pieces by lightly using one fourth of the canola oil. Season both sides of the salmon with kosher salt and pepper. Heat remaining 1.5 ounces canola oil in large heavy bottomed non-stick frying pan, large enough to accommodate salmon pieces without over crowding, over medium high heat. Ensure that oil is evenly coating bottom of frying pan. Once the oil has just began to smoke carefully place the salmon pieces in the pan, skin side down, and lower heat to medium. Cook salmon on skin side until skin is evenly golden brown, turn salmon over and repeat. Remove salmon from pan and blot on paper towels to remove any oil or fat. Transfer salmon to baking pan with raised sides, and drizzle each piece with half of the maple glaze, place in oven and bake until desired doneness, time will vary depending on the thickness of salmon, average 5-10 minutes. While salmon is baking, toss watercress with olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Arrange watercress on four plates. When salmon is done place two pieces on each mound of watercress, drizzle with maple glazed and sprinkle with pecans.
Serves 4-6