I have a little problem. I'm addicted to cookbooks, food writing, recipe collecting, and cooking. I have a lot of recipes waiting for me to try them, and ideas from articles, tv, and restaurants often lead to new dishes. I started losing track of what I've done. So now I'm taking photos and writing about what I've prepared—unless it's terrible in which case I forget it ever happened.
You know how food tastes better when you’re on vacation? I’ve had a lingering memory of a vacation meal for years now. It wasn’t even anything special or planned in advance or exotic. It was a meal at a restaurant we picked because it was the first place we found and we were hungry. I ordered a simple salmon dish served with spinach, and it was flavored with ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. That combination of ingredients is so meant to be that I still think about that meal and have hoped to experience it again. It was light but satisfying. Anytime I see salmon with spinach and ginger on a menu, I think, that’s it, but of course it’s not so simple. The sauce can’t be heavy and the salmon can’t be dry and the soy sauce can’t overpower the other flavors. With all of that in mind, when I saw this salmon and coconut spinach dish in Donna Hay’s Off the Shelf, I had a feeling it would be great. This is close to the meal I remember, but the coconut milk and red chiles are an added touch. All the other flavors are there, and as a bonus, this is really quick to prepare.
Wild salmon was marinated with grated ginger, sesame oil, and soy sauce, and then it was briefly seared on each side. Meanwhile, I cleaned some spinach I received from my CSA. Garlic, chopped red chiles, and chlli paste were cooked in a saucepan with a little oil. Coconut milk and lemon juice were added and simmered. Then, in went the spinach which cooked until it wilted. The end. Dinner was ready. This was possibly the fastest meal I’ve made in months.
I accept that being on vacation, being away from home, being in a place for the sole purpose of having fun does indeed make food taste great, and that’s why I remember that meal so fondly. It’s also true that some ingredients just go together really well, and salmon, spinach, and ginger fit that description. This version with coconut milk and red chiles built on that theme. I enjoyed it as much as I thought I might, and I like that it wasn’t an exact re-creation. Instead, it became that great salmon and spinach meal I made at home that reminded me of that vacation.
I love salmon on spinach.....silly question: do you sear your salmon skin side down, or flesh first to get such a nice sear? I have always done it skin side down, but lately flesh side first is better. what do you think!
Stacey: I sear flesh side first and leave it there just a minute longer. After I flip to skin side, I either sear for a shorter amount of time on the stove or pop it in the oven for a few minutes.
Lisa, how wonderful is this salmon pair with coconut spinach. Hmmm, steam jasmine rice, and a little more spicy Indonesian sambal surely make this dish absolutely perfect for me.
My BF is a salmon fanatic, and when he saw this, it was deemed a 'must do', Perfectly cooked salmon over coconut spinach looks and sounds heavenly. Beautiful photos too!
That looks delicious Lisa! :) I'm with you on recreating holiday dishes We honeymooned in Fiji and for weeks afterward, we were eating coconut with everything! :D
Your salmon looks perfect! I love it when has a bit of a crust like that. Food does often taste better on vacation...great that you can recreate some vacation thoughts through dinner.
I was looking for a recipe with spinach and salmon and I landed here. Lucky me. This is a stunning photo and I know, I would love the addition of the coconut.
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, I had a feeling it would be great. This is close to the meal I remember, but the coconut milk and red chiles are an added touch. All the other flavors are there, and as a bonus, this is really quick to prepare.
I've been craving salmon... we usually have it once a week, but for one reason or another we haven't made it in almost a month
ReplyDeletethis seems wonderful... goes into my files "to cook soon"
Thanks, Lisa!
Hey I've made that recipe too! I love it!
ReplyDeleteMmmhhhh, what a splendid flavor combo! A real delight!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
I love salmon on spinach.....silly question:
ReplyDeletedo you sear your salmon skin side down, or flesh first to get such a nice sear? I have always done it skin side down, but lately flesh side first is better. what do you think!
Stacey: I sear flesh side first and leave it there just a minute longer. After I flip to skin side, I either sear for a shorter amount of time on the stove or pop it in the oven for a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteLisa, how wonderful is this salmon pair with coconut spinach. Hmmm, steam jasmine rice, and a little more spicy Indonesian sambal surely make this dish absolutely perfect for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting spinach dish. I love the use of coconut. Seems like it would pair well with the salmon. Lovely colorful dish!
ReplyDeleteYou said coconut spinach? wow....and with that huge beautiful pan-seared salmon steak atop! Lisa, you just got me on some real salmon treat!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed by the coconut spinach too! Very unique and delicious with that lovely flavored salmon over top.
ReplyDeletei love the idea of coconut spinach, what a great side dish!
ReplyDeleteThis looks fantastic! You really can't go wrong with coconut milk. Great post!
ReplyDeleteLove salmon and the combination sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeleteCoconut spinach? THat sounds awesome! This looks like such a lovely meal.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful weekend ahead.
*kisses* HH
it's very indicative of your talents as a cook that you're able to recreate a restaurant dish in your own kitchen. that spinach sounds tremendous!
ReplyDeleteCoconut spinach sounds like an amazing side for anything!
ReplyDeleteOOH that looks wonderful. Great combination of flavours. I think I would like the coconut spinach with fresh halibut too.
ReplyDeleteMy BF is a salmon fanatic, and when he saw this, it was deemed a 'must do', Perfectly cooked salmon over coconut spinach looks and sounds heavenly. Beautiful photos too!
ReplyDeleteI am not that crazy about salmon but if you present it with spinach then yeah! I love it! Great recipe, thanks
ReplyDeleteThat looks delicious Lisa! :) I'm with you on recreating holiday dishes We honeymooned in Fiji and for weeks afterward, we were eating coconut with everything! :D
ReplyDeleteWow, what a delicious sounding meal. I was very intrigued when I read coconut and spinach. Cannot wait to give it a try.
ReplyDeletethis looks like a good, quick dinner recipe, I love the idea of coconut spinach.
ReplyDeleteYour salmon looks perfect! I love it when has a bit of a crust like that. Food does often taste better on vacation...great that you can recreate some vacation thoughts through dinner.
ReplyDeleteThis is so healthy Liza and looks fab
ReplyDeletethis is a great summer recipe, the weather is already hot here and this quick and elegant salmon dish would be perfect
ReplyDeleteI really like the salmon, but the spinach is the show stopper, great fresh flavours!
ReplyDeleteI was looking for a recipe with spinach and salmon and I landed here. Lucky me. This is a stunning photo and I know, I would love the addition of the coconut.
ReplyDelete