It’s getting to be that time of year. The rains are making all this snow look like it might actually melt before July! As the drizzle drizzles, spring cleaning has become something I’m definitely starting to think about. Maybe at some point I might actually even start it!
This is the time of year where I start to really review my pantry contents, and to check in on those items that are in danger of becoming petrified at the bottom of my chest freezer. This morning, I checked my freezer inventory lists (taped to the top of my chest freezer and updated regularly) and noticed a lovely slab of wild-caught salmon was awaiting some attention. I love glazed salmon whether it be maple, balsamic, brown sugar, honey, or tonight’s pick, hoisin sauce.
I have a go-to hoisin concoction adapted from an older Cooking Light recipe. As my oven preheated to 400, I whisked together 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce, 1 teaspoon of low sodium soy sauce, and about 1/4 teaspoon of dark sesame oil. As I still have 3 oranges in a bowl on my counter, I decided to incorporate a healthy squeeze orange juice into the mix as well.
I lightly sprayed my baking sheet, laid out my piece of salmon on it, and coated the salmon with the hoisin mixture. A few slices of orange went on top of the salmon and into the stove it went until it was cooked, about 8 minutes.
I had another Cooking Light Recipe adaptation for a Bok Choy Salad with fried shallots, and considering I had a couple of shallots in my veggie bin to use, the timing for this recipe was serendipitous. As I tasted the dressing for the salad, I decided to add some orange juice to that too.
After starting to fry up the shallots (looks like a spinach leaf snuck in the picture), I couldn’t help but toss the bok choy greens and some spinach in the pan with the shallots for a quick wilt. This salad also works without the wilt.
This was great on a bed of jasmine rice.
At 8 minutes, I accidentally overcooked this thin filet a tiny bit. Even so, it was scrumptious. If I had it to do over again, I might have tried an maple cider glaze to incorporate even more of the Springdell goodness. Alas, we devoured this version in mere moments.
- For the Salmon
- 1 pound wild-caught salmon
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 hefty squeeze (about 1 tbsp) orange juice
- 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp dark sesame oil
- cooking spray
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- Orange slices for garnish
- For the Bok Choy
- 1-2 small heads of bok choy (about 1/2 pound), washed and roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp canola oil
- 1/4 cup thinkly sliced shallots
- 2 tsp cornstarch or potato starch
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1/2 tsp fish sauce
- 1/2 tsp Sambal Oelek (or other garlic chili paste)
- 2 tbsp torn mint leaves, if available
- Preheat the oven to 400
- For the salmon, whisk together hoisin sauce, orange juice, soy sauce and sesame oil. Spread the mixture on the salmon filet in a rimmed dish. If your mixture is watery, let the bottom of the filet marinate in the watery part for a few minutes before transferring to a sprayed cookie sheet. Top with orange slices.
- For the bok choy, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, orange juice, and Sambal Oelek. Set aside.
- Place your salmon in the oven for about 8 minutes or until cooked, flaking easily with a fork. (Careful not to overcook, a thin filet could be done 6 minutes)
- Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium high heat, then add the oil. Quickly toss your shallot rings with the cornstarch until just coated, then put them in the skillet.
- For the raw salad, toss the bok choy with the sauce and place the crisped shallots on top. For a warm stir fry, remove the crisped shallots and add the bok choy to your pan along with the sauce until the greens are just wilted. Place the crisped shallots on top.
- By the time your bok choy is ready, your salmon should be as well. Serve both hot atop a bed of rice or noodles. Enjoy!
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds at the end for an added crunch! In place of lemon, some oranges on the side are a nice accompaniment.