Let’s face it, when it comes to seafood, you simply can’t beat a nicely cooked salmon dish. Tender and subtly sweet-tasting, this omega-3-rich fish is a staple ingredient of cuisines all over the world, and with good reason. One of the best things about cooking with salmon is that there’s so much scope for creativity. That’s why RiceSelect® is here to guide you through the best ways to prepare salmon, with 5 tasty and enticing dishes for you to try at home. So, without further ado, let’s get cooking!
How to Cook Salmon - Easiest Methods
How you cook your salmon will depend mostly on your personal preferences. Nevertheless, the simplest methods are often the best. Let’s take a look at some of the easiest ways to cook salmon now.
Salmon in the Oven
Baked salmon recipes are perhaps the most popular way to serve salmon. Simply preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the salmon filets on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon takes on an opaque color. You’ll know it’s done when you can easily strip back the flesh with a fork.
How to Garnish Salmon
The strength of any fish recipe depends largely upon the garnish. Therefore, knowing which ingredients pair well with salmon is a must. Most popular salmon recipes call for olive oil, garlic, lemon, and herbs such as parsley, dill, rosemary, thyme, or bay leaves. Simply drizzle olive oil and lemon on top of the filets and sprinkle with herbs before cooking and you’ll be left with a flavorful garnish that accentuates the delicate flavor of the fish.
Can You Cook Salmon in the Air-Fryer?
It’s official, the air-fryer is taking the culinary world by storm. Air-fryers are both time and energy efficient and produce excellent results. So, needless to say, you can cook perfect salmon dishes in the air-fryer and enjoy your favorite fish recipe without skimping on flavor whatsoever. To do this, cut your salmon filets into neat portions and garnish according to your tastes. Depending on the thickness of the filets, the salmon should be ready within 7-9 minutes. When done, the flesh should be opaque in color and tender in texture.
Pan-Seared Salmon
Finally, if you like your salmon crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, the pan-searing method is the way to go. First, heat the pan and spread a thin layer of oil across its surface. Place the salmon skin-side down and cook for 15 minutes. This way, the skin will absorb the brunt of the heat and allow the fish to cook evenly.
What Is Smoked Salmon?
One of the most popular ways of consuming salmon is in its smoked form, but what exactly is smoked salmon and how is its unique flavor achieved? The method of smoking salmon involves curing and dehydrating the fish and exposing it to cold or hot smoke as a means to preserve it for longer periods. The process of smoking salmon reduces the risk of spoiling by eliminating microorganisms from the fish, and was practiced in one form or another in Greek and Roman times as well as in Native American culinary culture. The process of curing and smoking the fish imbues it with its signature salty and aromatic tasting notes. This, combined with the natural flavor of the fish, gives smoked salmon its distinctive flavor.
Now that we’ve got to grips with the best ways to cook salmon, let’s take a look at some irresistible recipes guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing.
1: Scintillating Sockeye Salmon Recipe
Let’s kick things off with a veritable masterpiece: Baked Sockeye Salmon with Garlic Butter Orzo. If you’re new to sockeye salmon, then you’re in for a treat! This unique salmon variety is native to the East Pacific and is one of the more popular varieties consumed in the US due to its strong taste and pink color. Served on a bed of orzo, this dish boasts a delicate blend of choice herbs and spices, making it the perfect dish to serve at dinner parties.
2: Irresistible Risotto Recipe with Salmon
People who are passionate about food love experimenting with classics and putting their own spin on them. If this sounds like you, we’ve got just the recipe: Curry Risotto with Baked Salmon. Creamy and flavorful, this blend of Indian and Italian cuisines is taken up notch by the simple addition of oven-baked salmon. Simply put, fusion recipes just don’t get any tastier than this!
3: Poke Bowl Perfection
One great way to put your fresh or smoked salmon to good use is to build a poke bowl around it. Poke bowls are quick and easy to make and allow you to pack a range of nutritious ingredients into one convenient bowl. This Salmon Poke with Sushi Rice is a prime example of this. Made with exquisite sushi grade salmon, edamame beans, pineapple, carrots, avocado, and RiceSelect® Sushi Rice, it’s a poke bowl that packs a punch!
4: Tempting Appetizers with Salmon
We may typically associate salmon with main dishes, but its potential in appetizer recipes is not to be underestimated. If you like your salmon cold and refreshing, try this Crispy Rice Spicy Salmon. Alternatively, if you’d like an appetizer with cooked salmon that’s both savory and bite-sized, our Thai Salmon Fish Cakes are sure to hit the spot.
5: Stacked Salad Recipe
If you’re the kind of home chef that likes to get creative with salad recipes, our Spicy Salmon Avocado Tower could be right down your street. Layered with salmon, lettuce, minced jalapeños, spring onions, and fragrant RiceSelect® Organic Jasmati® Rice, this breathtaking salad is sure to satisfy those who like their food to look as good as it tastes.
Now that you’ve got some food for thought, it’s time to get in the kitchen and indulge in some culinary creativity. And remember, for more expert advice and exciting new recipes, be sure to drop by our blog.