Centerpiece Salmon Salad With Tarragon Honey Mustard Dressing

Seafood Alternatives: trout, halibut, scallops, monkfish For the dressing: Combine all the ingredients, except the salt, in a small bowl and whisk until blended (or shake the ingredients in a jar). Add salt to taste. Let stand 30 minutes or overnight to blend flavors.

Rinse the fish in cold water. Measure the thickness of the fish and pour water into a deep skillet or saute pan to measure twice that thickness. Bring the water to a boil, add the salmon, cover the pan and remove it from the heat. Let stand until the fish is opaque but still moist and shiny in the center of the thickest area, about 10 minutes for a fillet 1-inch thick; up to 20 minutes the fish will remain piping hot without over-cooking.

Meanwhile toss the salad greens with two-thirds of the dressing. Arrange the greens on individual plates. Add the asparagus around the edge.

Lift the fish from pan and drain well. Arrange the salmon on top of the greens. Drizzle the salmon pieces equally with remaining dressing and serve.

This recipe yields 4 servings.