Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this innovative pastrami salmon recipe. Combining the smoky flavors of pastrami with fresh, nutritious salmon, this dish promises a unique culinary experience.
Complemented with a crunchy fennel slaw, this recipe offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors that is both refreshing and satisfying. Perfect for a quick yet impressive meal.
A Weeknight Delight
Transform your weeknight dinners with this incredible pastrami salmon recipe. The combination of spices creates a smoky crust that is reminiscent of traditional pastrami. This dish is perfectly paired with a crunchy fennel slaw, providing a delightful contrast in textures and flavors.
Fresh salmon fillets are used in this recipe, guaranteeing a nutritious and flavorful meal. The fillets are brushed with Dijon mustard and generously coated with a blend of onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and brown sugar. This spice blend is essential for achieving the cherished smoky crust.
Ingredients and Preparation
You will need a simple list of ingredients to create this culinary masterpiece. Key ingredients include a large fennel bulb, a small red onion, white wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, brown sugar, ground coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, coarsely ground pepper, and skinless salmon fillets.
Begin by slicing the fennel bulb and red onion very thinly. If you have a mandoline, this is an excellent time to use it. Combine the sliced vegetables with white wine vinegar, olive oil, and Dijon mustard in a large bowl, seasoning with kosher salt. Toss to combine and set the slaw aside for later.
Creating the Pastrami Spice Blend
The magic lies in the spice blend.
Mix smoked paprika, brown sugar, ground coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, coarsely ground pepper, and kosher salt in a small bowl. This blend will coat the salmon and give it that distinctive flavor that mimics pastrami.
Cooking the Salmon
Season the salmon fillets all over with kosher salt. Brush Dijon mustard over all sides of the salmon, using roughly 2 teaspoons per fillet. Sprinkle the paprika mixture over the fillets, pressing gently to adhere.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the salmon, undisturbed, until a browned crust forms underneath. This usually takes about 6-8 minutes. Resist the urge to turn the salmon too soon; the dark bits of bark on the outside are not burnt but are, in fact, the best parts.
Bringing It All Together
Once the crust has formed, turn the fillets and cook until the salmon is cooked through. This should take about 3 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
In a small bowl, combine plain whole-milk yogurt with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt. Stir to combine.
To serve, spread the yogurt mixture onto plates and place the salmon on top. Arrange the reserved fennel slaw around the salmon, topping it all off with torn dill and fennel fronds for garnish.
Final Touches
For presentation, season with some extra coarsely ground pepper. The dish is not only a feast for the taste buds but also for the eyes, with its vibrant colors and textures.
The smoky crust of the pastrami salmon paired with the crunchy fennel slaw makes this a dish to remember.
A New Spin on Traditional Pastrami
This recipe breathes new life into the concept of pastrami by applying its core principles to salmon. The result is a nutritious, flavorful meal that is both easy to prepare and impressive to serve.
This pastrami salmon with fennel slaw is a fresh take on a beloved classic. The smoky, flavorful crust paired with the crunchy slaw makes for an unforgettable meal.
Try this recipe for an easy and delicious weeknight dinner. It’s a guaranteed hit!
Source: Bonappetit