This stellar weeknight meal takes advantage of ingredients you may already have stashed in the cupboard or fridge.
The centerpiece is salmon. The fillets are easy to prepare and quick to cook, making them the perfect protein for easy weeknight dinners. And salmon can take on many different flavors, which explains its versatility and mass appeal.
Miso rice adds a fragrant, earthy pairing for the silky, fatty salmon. The sweet-salty miso is whisked into the rice water before cooking, making the rice super savory, nutty and sticky. The rice complements other seafood, too, like cod, shrimp and scallops. It’s also a great accompaniment to grilled steak and roasted chicken. And if it’s a satisfying plant-based meal you’re after, miso rice is a natural match for delicious tofu-vegetable bowls. Use the versatile ginger-scallion vinaigrette as the sauce.
Mixing in the miso is a simple little technique that results in big flavor, but you could also add unexpected seasonings whenever you make rice. Try mushroom stock in place of water, or whole spices, like cinnamon sticks, star anise and cardamom pods, to perfume the rice. Capers, chopped fresh chiles or minced ginger could all add distinctive pops of flavor and texture to the rice.
The rest of the recipe is just as adaptable. No cabbage? Use whichever vegetable or greens you have on hand: Carrots, celery, mushrooms, avocado and spinach are all great options. Out of ginger and scallions? Add a little garlic, red-pepper flakes or sesame seeds to enhance the dressing. The zesty vinaigrette brightens anything you put it on, so incorporate it into your weeknight rotation. Double it, and keep it in the fridge for up to a week to spoon over greens, beans, eggs and pasta.
Choose king salmon for rich buttery flavor. If you’re looking for something leaner that still has big flavor, try sockeye. Coho is your pick for a milder tasting fish.
Prepare the entire meal while the rice cooks, and you’ll have dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less. You can assemble the vinaigrette and chop the cabbage a few hours ahead of time, if you like, or even the morning of. For fun, set up a simple vegetable fixings bar with assorted sliced veggies, so everyone can pile on the toppings of their choosing.
This crowd-pleasing dinner makes entertaining a breeze, even if it’s just for your family.
Recipe: Roasted Salmon With Miso Rice and Ginger-Scallion Vinaigrette
