Gochugaru Salmon With Crispy Rice Food

GOCHUGARU SALMON WITH CRISPY RICE

Steps:

• Season the salmon on all sides with salt and pepper. Heat a large cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sear the salmon fillets skin side down until the skin is browned and crispy, 2 to 5 minutes. The salmon's orange flesh will begin to turn pale coral as the heat slowly creeps up the sides of the fish; you want that coral color to come up about two-thirds of the way at this point for a nice medium-rare. Carefully flip the salmon and cook the second side until the flesh feels firm, another 1 to 2 minutes. When you press it, it should not feel wobbly. Transfer the salmon to a plate skin side down and keep the pan with the rendered fat over the heat.
• Add the rice to the fat in the pan and spread in an even layer, packing it down as if making a rice pancake. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the bottom is lightly browned and toasted, about 5 minutes. You should hear it crackle. Flip the rice like a pancake, using a spatula if needed. You may not be able to flip it all in one piece, but that's OK. Cook until lightly toasted on the second side, another 1 to 2 minutes. Go longer if you want crispier rice, but the trifecta of crispy-chewy-soft tastes wonderful.
• While the rice is cooking, stir together the gochugaru, maple syrup, rice vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. When the rice is done, divide it evenly among the plates. In the now empty pan, add the gochugaru mixture and cook, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat until it bubbles up and reduces significantly, 15 seconds to 1 minute. It should look pretty sticky. Turn off the heat and add the cold butter, stirring with a wooden spoon or tongs until fully melted and incorporated into the gochugaru mixture. Pour this glaze over the salmon and serve with cucumbers or pickles if you'd like.

GRILLED CANDIED-GARLIC SALMON ON CRISPY RICE NOODLES AND BABY ASIAN GREENS

Steps:

• Prepare candied garlic by combining garlic, water, wine, sugar, and butter in a small saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes or until syrupy, but the garlic should not be mushy. Remove garlic to cool. Reserve syrup for the dressing.
• Marinate the salmon: Combine the fish sauce, lime juice, 1 clove of pressed garlic, ginger, and curry paste and mix well. Remove 1/4 cup of the mixture and set aside. Place the remaining mixture in a shallow bowl and add the salmon. Marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
• To the reserved marinade, add the reserved syrup from the candied dressing and the remaining clove of pressed garlic and whisk well. Set aside.
• Preheat the grill.
• Heat 2-inches of oil in a large, deep pot to 350 degrees F. Fry rice noodles according to the package directions, a few at a time, draining on paper towels. (They'll look like Styrofoam.) Set aside. Keep oil hot for the next step.
• Coat the thinly sliced shallots with flour, shaking off any excess and fry until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towel and set aside.
• Mix the snap peas, scallions and greens in a bowl.
• Remove the salmon from the marinade and grill about 5 minutes per side, or to desired degree of doneness.
• Putting it together: Toss greens with dressing and divide among 6 plates. Top each serving with crispy noodles, then top with a serving of salmon. Top each salmon with fried shallots and candied garlic. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

LEMON RICE WITH CRISPY SALMON

Steps:

• Cook rice according to package directions. Add peas during the last minute of cooking; stir in half of the green onion, and lemon juice.
• Meanwhile, using a sharp knife, score skin side of salmon, slicing 1/2-inch (1 cm) across and about 1/4-inch (5 mm) deep; season all over with salt and pepper.
• In large, heavy-bottom skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook salmon skin side down for about 5 minutes or until skin is golden brown and crispy. Turn over; cook for 2 or 3 minutes or until fish is just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Serve with rice and lemon wedges. Sprinkle with remaining green onion.
• For simple 1+1+1 meal ideas and inspiration, visit Thirdoftheway.ca or share your #weekdaywin on social media to inspire others.