Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Wasabi-Glazed Salmon - Salmon Ladders - Outdoor Wednesday



A salmon ladder on the McKenzie River in Oregon. The ladder is a step-like structure designed to allow fish to migrate upstream over or through a barrier to spawn.



It's a Sisyphean effort. While these ladders help the salmon make their long way home, the journey is arduous. It's fascinating, almost mesmerizing, to watch them clear these and other hurdles encountered on the way to their spawning grounds. It's a lesson in determination and the biological imperative which ensures a constant flow of salmon to our markets. I feel almost - almost - guilty about using so simple a recipe for salmon, but, truth be told, it is one of my best finds. It's low in fat and very easy to make. The secret ingredient here is the wasabi paste that gives some oomph to a fairly standard teriyake glaze. I clipped the Weight Watcher's recipe from the Washington Post several years ago and it immediately made it to my permanent recipe rotation. I would advise anyone who is unfamiliar with wasabi paste to add it to the teriyake sauce in 1/2 teaspoon increments. You can always add more, but once it's in the mix there's no turning back. I enjoy mild to medium heat and do not find 2 teaspoons of the paste to be excessive. If you are in a real hurry, use commercially prepared teriyake sauce and add wasabi paste to it. If you can't find the paste, use a teaspoon of wasabi powder mixed with 1-1/2 teaspoons water as a substitute. Here's one of the easiest recipes your ever likely to find. Once you have tried it, you'll know why the salmon is called "king."

Wasabi-Glazed Salmon...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Weight Watcher's and the Washington Post

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons mirin
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon finely chopped, peeled ginger root
2 teaspoons wasabi paste
Nonstick vegetable spray oil
4 salmon fillets (4 to 6 ounces each)

Directions:
1) In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together mirin, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, ginger and wasabi to taste. (Add the wasabi incrementally, tasting as you go.) Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until glaze thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
2) Meanwhile, spray a large nonstick skillet with oil and place over medium-high heat. Add salmon and cook, turning once, until fish is browned on the outside and opaque in center, about 4 minutes per side, depending on thickness of the fillet. Spoon sauce over the salmon. Serve hot. Yield: 4 servings.

From "Weight Watchers Take-Out Tonight: 150+ Restaurant Favorites to Make at Home, All 8 Points or Less" (Fireside, 2003). Each serving is 4 points.

This recipe is being linked to:

Outdoor Wednesday, an event sponsored by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.

54 comments :

My Little Space said...

The salmon sauce recipe looks delicious to me! So flavourful!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I enjoy wasabi very much when I eat sushi so I'm sure I'd enjoy salmon cooked with this glaze, Mary! Salmon is our favorite fish!

Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

Unknown said...

That is a wonderful piece of salmon! Now you made me hungry for it... Looks like its going to be on the menu soon!

~Tis the Spooky Season~
~Really Rainey~

Sue said...

Hi Mary,
Salmon is such a favorite dish of ours, and I am always looking for new recipes. Thank you for sharing this recipe as well as this information.
Sue

Barbara said...

The salmon story of their return to their spawning ground is very interesting and certainly a lesson in nature for us.

I am not a salmon eater, perhaps the several times I have tried it, it was not cook properly. Maybe one day I will try again.

Barbara

Deb in Hawaii said...

I love the kick wasabi gives to things--what a great pairing with the salmon.

Coleens Recipes said...

You page always has the BEST photos, how do you do it?

Kat said...

This sounds delicious! My DH is not much of a fish eater, but I might be able to get him to eat this with the wasabi glaze. We love wasabi! And I really love that this is a pretty guilt free dish! Thanks. Kathy

Chubskulit Rose said...

Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Please take a glimpse on the nature of Chinhae, S. Korea

Donna-FFW said...

This sauce sounds super flavorful, and I thank you for the tips on using wasabi.

Hootin Anni said...

This salmon...red salmon....I love!! And of course this recipe I'm sure is VERY tasty!!!! It looks...well, it looks good enough to eat. Right now..at 6 A.M!!!!

Loved the outdoor photo too of the "Ladders". Interesting.



My Outdoor Wednesday is a "Lethal Beauty". Come by and see if you will....

Click HERE

Ginger said...

I love Salmon in any flavor with any sauce!! Wasabi is my absolute favorite. Wonderful photos AGAIN!! Have a great day.

NKP said...

That looks totally wonderful. Wasabi is one of my very favourites condiments.

Selba said...

I love wasabi!!! love the sensation from wasabi.. hehehe...

I really think salmon is so great with wasabi.

Martha said...

This is my next salmon recipe (I was going to make Ina's salmon and lentils (since it's cold on the prairie) but this looks so yummy and I have everything!

Velva said...

This salmon dish is proof that simple is best. Great recipe!

Foodiewife said...

I just love it when I read a recipe that sounds good, and I have all the ingredients. I have wasabi paste, neglected, in my cupboard. We love salmon so I'll have to see if we have any fresh salmon at my market.

I can taste this, already. I like that it's healthy, too!

Cathy said...

Your salmon preparation is beautiful, Mary. I love a wasabi glaze, and adding it in small bits is the secret. Wow, it can be hot!

Alyssa said...

Sadly, I have no wasabi paste in the house at the moment, a situation which must be remedied asap, I think. This looks gorgeous!

Joy Tilton said...

Simple but the flavors are spectacular! Come over to GrannyMountain to see where candycorn comes from...

Anonymous said...

The salmon looks wonderful!

Amy said...

Hi Mary...I haven't been a salmon eater but I hear it is very healthy for you. I'm going to give it a try. Your recipie looks delicious. Thanks. I always look forward to your posts.

George Gaston said...

Mary, this sounds really good. I like the use of the Wasabi to give it a subtle kick! I enjoy your informative post, too! Thanks...

The Cooking Photographer said...

I want to move to Oregon. I can't stand being here and looking at all your beautiful lush pictures! Jesse found a perfect job in Ashland that's open. I wish he would apply.

Sighh. How am I going to stand another cold winter here?

Ms. Bake-it said...

Great pictures. When I still ate fish, salmon was one of my favorites. Sounds like a great recipe. I am going to pass it on to my mother.

Thank you for sharing!

~ Tracy

storyteller at Sacred Ruminations said...

My mouth is watering BIG TIME ... seriously! My favorite way to eat salmon (and Ahi) is with a bit of Wasabi, but I usually do so in a restaurant. Perhaps I'll give THIS recipe a try sometime soon even though I don't spend much time in the kitchen any more. Thanks so much ;-)
Hugs and blessings,

La Bella Cooks said...

You have some of the most gorgeous and delicious salmon recipes. I would just love to try the wasabi sauce!

Lyndas recipe box said...

I would love to watch the salmon and I'd love to try this dish. Sounds like lots of flavor!

My name is Riet said...

I love salmon and that sause looks like it is delicious. Thank you for visiting

The Blonde Duck said...

I never knew about salmon ladders!

The Chef In My Head said...

Now see, there's the education I needed for Salmon. This Texas girl has been living in the dark. I will try your recipes for salmon, I still have a bunch left.
PS I LOVE wasabi!

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Oh that plate of salmon looks so fantastic!


have a wonderful Wednesday!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

A great photo... I love salmon, hands down my favorite fish. And such a strong taste, easy to flavor with not a lot of extras needed... Thanks for the recipe

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Don't yell at me for saying this, but I really don't care for salmon. :) I have tried it several times, prepared different ways and just can't seem to get a taste for it. I am not a picky eater, but I don't care for strong fish or strong cheese. Thanks for stopping by and nice compliment on my pictures. Believe me - it is hit and miss situation, as I delete more than I use.

Katy ~ said...

Cool about the salmon ladders. I've only seeing herring runs like this.

Gorgeous pix!!

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

Your salmon looks like a sophiscated meal.

ellen b. said...

The Salmon ladders are so interesting Mary. We visited the locks in Seattle with the Salmon ladders way back when. The salmon recipe looks great. I'll have to try it since we BBQ salmon once a week around here...

LV said...

You shared on of my favorite foods today. I love salmon and I am sure yours would be great. I will miss my good cooking from you for a few days, but will be back soon.

Unknown said...

It has been so long since I had salmon. Yum!!

penny said...

You know I have to admit I have never eaten salmon. It sounds rather tasty maybe its time I tried it. Thanks for tasty idea, Mary
I hope you enjoyed your day :)

eileeninmd said...

Your salmon looks delicious. I am always looking for new recipes for salmon. I have not had wasabi before is it spicey? Great post and photos.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Eileen, it can be fiery hot, but it is delicious. Just start with a small amount and stop when you think it's hot enough.

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

My husband is a big fan of salmon. I like it too. The ladders are interesting.

sherri@lavenderfields said...

I am always so fascinated by the lifecycle of the salmon. How far they will travel to come and fight their way back up those ladders, just to have it all end!! Thanks for the recipe and Happy Outdoor Wednesday : )

SmilingSally said...

You have the most interesting photos and facts!

Anonymous said...

we are huge salmon eaters here... a must try. Happy O.W. :)

gp

alessandra said...

never seen a salmon ladder before. How long is it?

Ebie said...

I just love your blog and posts! Every post is so informative and dishes are truly proven and tested.

I use very little wasabi, but this recipe is interesting. I will add this to my permanent collection too.

Thank you very much for sharing your talents and expertise.

Foodiewife said...

This was fantastic! I made it, blogged it and gave you a shout!
Thanks for the inspiration,
Debby

Kat said...

Thanks for the yummy salmon recipe I eat it all the time. I loved it when we went to Oregon it was fun. We have lots of places to fish around where I live in Placer County, it's fun. Your chocolate walnut bars or what nots? can't remember what I saw now in previous post looks so scrumptious! Have a great evening!

Unknown said...

Ah, so that's what a salmon ladder looks like!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Alessandra, the ladder in this picture is as high as a two story home. However, the height really depends on the height of the barrier the salmon must cross. They can be much higher or lower than this one.

Ms.Daisy said...

Wow! That salmon looks sooooo wonderful but, alas, I am alergic to seafood (the iodine) and cannot always tell which is farm raised or natural. Thanks for visiting my Outdoor Wednesday post and your nice comment.

~Jean

3 hungry tummies said...

looks like a really wonderful day with good food like that!!

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