Friday Night Lights: Spicy Salmon and Puy Lentils

salmon-frying-salmon-puy-lentils

There is no animal protein that can’t instantly be lifted to a higher place through the use of the holy trinity of ginger, garlic and chilli (close cousin of the holy duo of garlic and lemon of Chicken Roast Dinner fame). We cook with it liberally. So much so that the Tesco delivery man, who had initially been very apologetic to have brought £1.50 worth of loose raw ginger (that’s just under half a kilo bro, true story), suddenly found himself leaving the whole bag in our custody.

Salmon is an incredibly versatile fish – no longer the preserve of foil parcels the world over, it really holds its own against the big flavours of the chilli and ginger. The puy lentils will look meagre but have heart – we’ve started ordering lentils by the case  every 6 weeks or so just for this meal. (Although when we last bulk bought them, six packets were an altogether thriftier £9…get it together Amazon!)

salmon-asian-puy-lentils

This recipe has now become a midweek staple. It’s stupendously quick, very tasty and really very healthy. Throw this together with your favourite green salad which you should dress generously with a good dressing (try the one from the previous FNL, the Chicken, Goats Cheese and Avocado salad).

This recipe is inspired by this BBC Good Food recipe.

lentil-mix-salmon-puy-lentils

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 salmon fillets (approx 220g)

1 medium red chilli, finely chopped (remove the seeds if you wish)

zest and juice of 1 lime

2 large garlic cloves, finely diced

1 tsp of ginger, finely chopped (or more, to taste – we use absolutely loads!)

1 tbsp oil

1 packet of pre-cooked lentils (Try Merchant Gourmet) or enough dried puy lentils for 2 people

Vegetable stock and lemon slices (for dried puy lentils only)

For the dressing
2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp clear honey/agave nectar

1 tbsp rice wine vinegar

3 tbsp sesame seeds

bunch coriander, finely chopped

Method

  1. If you’re using dried puy lentils, cook these as per packet instructions but use vegetable stock and lemon slices for flavour.
  2. Mix the ginger, garlic, half of the red chilli, lime juice and zest and oil in a bowl and add the salmon, ensuring it gets a good coating of the marinade. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to fry it.
  3. In a small ramekin, mix the remainder of the red chilli with the honey/agave nectar, rice wine vinegar and soy sauce. Set the dressing aside.
  4. Fry the salmon, skin down, in a hot and dry heavy based pan with about a quarter of its ginger/lime marinade (not too much as it burns easily).  Leave the salmon undisturbed for 5 minutes then flip over and cook for a further 3-4 minutes, or until cooked (will vary depending on fillet thickness and your own preferences).
  5. When your salmon is about two minutes from finishing, add the remaining ginger/lime marinade to the pan with 2 teaspoons of the soy sauce dressing. Microwave the ready-cooked puy lentils as per packet instructions (variable depending on microwave but should be 1-2 minutes) and prepare your plates. Mix lentils, coriander, sesame seeds and the remaining soy sauce dressing in a bowl.
  6. Spoon the lentils onto the plates and top with the cooked salmon fillets and distribute the juices as evenly as you can manage (you’ll want them all). Add your salad of choice and wash down with a lovely (large) glass of white wine.

 

Entering this one happily into this week’s Fiesta Friday co-hosted by Saucy Gander and Margot at Gather and Graze

”Fiesta

 

 

Author: Mandi

Twentysomethings in London trying to recreate some of the magic of professional cooking with a fraction of the budget and none of the skill.

26 thoughts

  4. I look forward to mixing garlic, ginger and lime and oil! I only use ginger for my curries. Great recipe!

    Reply

  7. I absolutely love salmon. A little too much probably. I love how you used lentils instead of rice. I know this sounds crazy, but I’m not a huge rice fan. I only ever eat the smallest amount, but I LOVE lentils on the other hand! I’ve already bookmarked this recipe 🙂

    Reply

    1. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love rice – but probably a little too much, really. It’s great to find a low carb, high protein alternative – and the lentils are great because they don’t lose their shape so it’s a real starch stand in ! Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy it 🙂

      Reply
  8. Pingback: Breakfast Biscuit | Fiesta Friday #27 | The Novice Gardener

  10. I love everything about this dish – the salmon, the flavours of the marinade and dressing and the fact that it’s sitting on a bed of beautiful puy lentils and coriander (one of my all-time favourite herbs). I can’t wait to try this recipe out – thanks for sharing! Enjoy the party at Fiesta Friday #27 – such a fabulous spread of food already laid out to devour! Cheers, Margot

    Reply

    1. Thanks Margot – coriander is definitely by go to herb. My rule of thumb is – if the dish can handle ginger, it can handle coriander. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

  12. I like your holy trinity! It’s one of our go-to flavour combinations as well. And if saving money can be this delicious, I need to make more effort to save money! Thank you for sharing this with Fiesta Friday, I hope you are enjoying this week’s party and Margot’s signature Dame Edna cocktails? 🙂

    Reply

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