One of our "favorite" fish is salmon, but I sometimes come to a road-block finding new, creative ways to prepare it. To be honest, plain ol' outdoor grilling is my favorite in the summer (with lots of fresh lemon and a dollop of sour cream-cucumber topping) but winter poses a challenge. With great interest, I found a recipe for salmon that was Indian and gave it a try. Absolutely delicious. The spiced tomato sauce is full of flavor but, since salmon itself is a strongly-flavored fish, they complimented each other beautifully. And I prepared cauliflower cooked with Indian spices as a side which was a winner as well. In fact, I was surprised when Jack declared that he loved the fish, but the cauliflower was incredible. :)
The salmon is easy and quick to put together, the cauliflower a little less so because of the onion puree and additional steps (rather than tossing the flowerets into a veggie steamer...).
Both recipes call for canned tomatoes, so I used a 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes. Half I whirled in the food processor for a couple of seconds to "crush them" for the salmon sauce, the other half was used in the cauliflower recipe.
Salmon with Spiced Tomato Sauce
Recipe Adapted from Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian
Serving Size : 2
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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10 ounces salmon fillets
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup lowfat half & half
1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Mix the turmeric, salt, cayenne, and black pepper in a small cup. Dust the salmon fillets with this mixture and set in the refrigerator for 20 minutes
In a small bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes and the next 7 ingredients (through nutmeg).
In a nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil. Add the salmon and cook over medium-high heat until lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side. Turn off the heat for a minute, then add the tomato mixture (it may spatter). Turn on the heat to low and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Reduce the heat to very low and cook, carefully turning the salmon halfway through, and cook
for 6-8 minutes.
Transfer salmon to plates, top with additional sauce, and add chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.
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Per serving: 208 Calories (kcal); 6g Total Fat (1g Saturated); (23% calories from fat); 30g Protein; 10g Carbohydrate; 74mg Cholesterol; 481mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 4 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 0 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates
* Exported from MasterCook *
Indian Cauliflower with Onion and Tomatoes
Recipe Adapted from Madhur Jaffrey's Indian Cooking
Servings: 6
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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1 medium onion -- peeled and coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon grated ginger root
4 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon canola oil
16 ounces cauliflower flowerets
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 small fresh hot chili -- minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon garam masala
Put the onion, ginger, and water into a small food processor or electric coffee grinder and blend to a paste
Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower and garlic and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until a few brown spots start to develop. Remove the cauliflower to a bowl and return the pan to the heat.
Put the onion-ginger mixture into the pan and stir for a minute. Add the tomatoes, cumin, and coriander and stir until it starts to turn brown (about 3-4 minutes). Add the turmeric, cayenne, fresh chili, lemon juice, and salt. Give a few stirs then turn the heat to low. Add the cauliflower and any liquid which may be in the bowl with it. Add 3 tablespoons water, stir gently to mix, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook until cauliflower is tender (about 5-8 minutes). Remove lid, sprinkle with garam masala, and stir. Serve.
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Per serving: 63 Calories (kcal); 3g Total Fat (trace Saturated); (33% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 9g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 611mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates