Pan-Seared Salmon on Wilted Spinach with Wine-Shallot Sauce

To prepare the salmon: Season salmon with salt and pepper. Heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil and 1 Tbsp of butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add salmon, presentation-side down (or skin-side up), taking care not to crowd the pan; depending on the size of your pan, you may need to cook in two batches. Sauté until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes, turn, and continue to cook until done, about 3-4 minutes longer. Remove salmon to a platter. Cover and keep warm, reserving the skillet for the spinach. OR, to prepare in advance, brown the salmon on each side (not cooking completely). Remove from skillet and place on a baking sheet and refrigerate. Remove from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving. Bake at 350° about 10 minutes to heat and cook through.

To prepare the spinach: A few minutes before serving, prepare the spinach. Heat the same skillet used for the salmon over medium high heat, adding more olive oil if necessary (there should be a light coating of oil covering the bottom of the pan). Sauté the shallots and tarragon for about one minute until the shallot is translucent. Add spinach and turn with tongs just until wilted.

To prepare the sauce: In another skillet, NOT nonstick, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add shallots, mushrooms, and tarragon, then sauté until mushrooms begin to brown. While stirring, add wine to de-glaze the pan then simmer uncovered until reduced by half. Add cream, taste for seasonings, and simmer until slightly thickened. To serve, mound spinach in plate, top with fish, and ladle sauce over the top.