Salmon Edamame Salad

You will have to plan ahead and pick up a few of the ingredients for this salad but I think you will make it again and again once you have tried it. It is adapted from Michael Smith’s recipe with a few more options in the vegetables and seasonings since I had trouble getting everything the first time I made it. I recommend you buy a bag of frozen edamame beans since they will boost the protein and nutrient value of this dish and will go just as well in other summer salads or as a side with any dinner.  I bought a little squeezable pack of miso paste since I have a few Japanese recipes I use it in but if you don’t have it just make the dressing without it. It is delightfully delicious on a hot evening and the perfect meal to pair with fresh corn on the cob. I have cut the leftover corn from the cob and thrown it in with an avocado and cucumber to stretch the leftover salad into a lunch or second dinner.

8 – 12 oz cooked salmon fillet, see below

salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp butter and a splash of olive oil

2 cups arugula or your greens of choice

1 cup edamame beans, cooked and shelled

1 cup carrot, coarsely grated

1 sweet yellow or red pepper, sliced thinly

1 cup snow peas, sliced thinly (optional)

1 cup bean sprouts (optional)

1 cup cilantro leaves or 1/2 cup parsley leaves, chopped

2 green onions, sliced

Dressing:

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 Tbsp sesame oil, toasted

2 Tbsp grated ginger*

2Tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 Tbsp miso paste (leave out if you do not have it)

1 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp honey

• Michael Smith suggests keeping fresh ginger in the freezer and grating it as fresh and I find this works well.

Cook salmon according to directions below while preparing remaining ingredients.

Cook edamame beans according to package direction and set aside.

Prepare dressing by whisking the oils, ginger, vinegar, miso paste, soy sauce and honey until smooth.

Slice snow peas and sweet pepper and shred carrots.

Place arugula in a shallow bowl or large serving plate and sprinkle with edamame, snow peas, carrot, pepper, sprouts, cilantro and green onions. Break cooked salmon into large pieces with a fork and spread over all.

Drizzle with dressing and toss. Serve with some crusty bread or corn on the cob.

My Favourite Way to Cook Salmon Fillets

A long time ago I saw Ina Garten, on the Barefoot Contessa, cook salmon by searing the top side then flipping it and finishing it in a hot oven. I found I get almost perfect results every time so this has become my first choice for cooking salmon or trout. Even if I am doing it on the BBQ I like to start it in the frying pan and if the grill is on it’s a great excuse to season up some corn on the cob alongside.

Dry salmon fillet and season as desired with salt and pepper.

Heat frying pan that can be put in the oven (I use a cast iron pan) with a tsp of butter and a little oil to keep the butter from burning. When it just starts to smoke add seasoned salmon, skin side up and sear until browned and starting to turn pink about 1/3 of the way through, about 5 – 6 minutes.

Turn and place whole pan in the oven at 400°F or slide fillet carefully onto a piece of foil on a preheated BBQ and bake another 7 minutes until cooked through.

Serves 3 – 4

Salmon Edamame Salad Click here for printable pdf