Wheat Berry Bowl With Salmon And Miso Sauce Food

MISO SALMON GRAIN BOWLS

Steps:

• For the salmon marinade: Whisk together the rice vinegar, honey, miso, soy sauce, sesame oil and sriracha in a non-reactive container large enough to fit the salmon snugly. Add the salmon and turn to coat. Let marinate, turning occasionally, at least 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
• To cook the salmon: Heat the oil in a medium non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the salmon from the marinade, letting the excess drip off, and add to the skillet, skin-side down. Reserve the marinade. Cook until the skin is golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until the salmon is just cooked through, about 3 minutes more, depending on thickness. Pour the reserved marinade into the pan and cook 1 to 2 minutes, spooning over the fish to glaze. Remove the salmon on a plate to avoid overcooking. (The salmon can be made up to a day ahead and served warm, room temp or cold from the fridge.)
• To assemble the bowls: Spoon the Farro (recipe follows) into 4 serving bowls. Add a piece of salmon into each bowl and gently break open the salmon into large chunks. Top with a spoonful of Pickled Vegetables (recipe follows). Garnish with a squirt of mayo, a drizzle of sriracha, crushed arare crackers, cilantro, scallions, sesame seeds and a lemon wedge on the side.
• Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to boil. Add the farro. Bring to a simmer and cook until the farro is tender but still has a bit of chew, 25 to 35 minutes depending on the brand. Drain well. Return to the saucepan and add the olive oil, sesame oil and salt and toss to combine. Taste and season with more salt, if needed. (Farro can be made up to a day ahead and served at room temperature.)
• Combine the cucumbers, radishes and red onion in a medium bowl. Combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, ginger and garlic in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook just until the salt and sugar dissolve. Add the ice cubes to melt and cool down the pickling liquid. Pour over the vegetables. Refrigerate until chilled, 30 minutes or more. (The quick pickled vegetables can be made up to a day ahead.)

WHEAT BERRY BOWL WITH SALMON AND MISO SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook the wheat berries: Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the wheat berries, and cook until plump and tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Drain the wheat berries, and transfer them to a medium bowl. Toss with the sesame oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve warm or at room temperature. (The wheat berries can be cooked and refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days ahead. Microwave just enough to take the chill off, about 2 minutes, stirring about halfway through.)
• Make the miso sauce: While the wheat berries cook, whisk together the mayonnaise, miso, mirin, vinegar and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl until smooth.
• Toast the sesame seeds: Swirl the sesame seeds in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat until toasted and golden, about 3 minutes. Pour them into a small bowl.
• Cook the salmon: Season the salmon with salt. Add the oil to the skillet, set over medium-high heat and heat the oil until it just starts to smoke faintly. Arrange the salmon, skin-side down, in the skillet. As the salmon cooks you'll see the dark orange flesh turn a paler orange. Once the lighter color reaches about 2/3 up the side of each piece, turn the salmon over; continue to cook for about 1 minute more (for medium-rare) for thicker pieces, 30 seconds more for thinner pieces. As each piece finishes, remove it from the skillet and transfer it to a plate.
• Build the bowls: Evenly divide the wheat berries among 4 bowls. Make neat piles and/or rows of the cabbage, avocado and scallions. Top each with a piece of salmon and some miso sauce, a sprinkling of sesame and some seaweed-snack strips. Serve each bowl with a lemon wedge.

MISO-MARINATED SALMON

Steps:

• Stir together the miso, mirin, sugar and sake, if using. Place the salmon fillets on a plate or in a medium food bag and cover with the miso marinade. Leave in the fridge for at least 30 mins or, better still, overnight.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Lightly oil a baking tray. Use kitchen paper to wipe off the marinade (don't be tempted to wash it off as you will lose some of the flavour). Place the fillets on the baking tray, skin side down. Cook in the oven for 15 mins until the fish flakes easily and is cooked through.
• Meanwhile, make the cucumber salad. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the cucumber into long, thin ribbons. Whisk together the rice wine vinegar, oil and sugar. Toss the cucumber ribbons in the dressing, then curl them up on two plates. Serve with the salmon and some plain white rice sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.