Does Miso Salmon go with Orange?
Do you ever get tired of just simple salt and pepper with your salmon?
If yes, then you’re going to love this orange glazed miso salmon.
The yummy flavor explosion of miso and orange creates a refreshing salmon experience for your taste buds.
Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay
Salmon is a special fish because of its high fat content. That makes it extra forgiving when it comes to potential over-cooking.
So seared salmon is a great way to start for beginner cooks. What is easier than a simple perfectly pan seared salmon? Not to mention it also being scrumptious and nom nom!
Salmon is high in Omega-3 fatty acids and is great for our overall health. Wild caught salmon has better health benefits, but note that it is less fatty than farmed salmon. Which makes it much easier to over-cook.
Is salmon a budget meal?
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
Although fresh fish is on the pricier end, you can still fit it in your budget for groceries. It’s a lot cheaper to make yourself a pan seared salmon dinner at home compared with eating out and ordering a seared salmon dinner.
So this definitely counts as fancy feasting on a budget.
You should shop at Asian markets for a better price and better quality of fresh fish. They often have fish tanks inside with fish swimming around. Now if THAT’S not fresh, I don’t know what is.
For true budget meals, check out my herb chicken and veggies or zuppa toscana recipes.
Price Breakdown
I bought a 1-lb salmon steak for $9 at the grocery store. This was cut into 2 filets. I spent another $5 on the side dishes in this dinner. And the glaze was made from ingredients that I usually already have in my pantry/refrigerator.
Restaurant ($30) vs. Home-made ($8). I live in between the Los Angeles and Orange County metropolitan areas, so things can add up quickly when you’re eating out. I would definitely say that this counts as a fancy budget meal. Make salmon at home if you can. It is so worth it for your wallet.
Image by DanaTentis from Pixabay
How to pan sear salmon with skin
- Salt
Rub salt into the salmon skin and salmon meat.
- Heat
Heat pan until it just begins to smoke.
- Oil
Add at least 2 tbsp of oil.
- Let it sit
Do NOT…I repeat, DO NOT touch your salmon once it hits the pan. Not until it forms a crispy crust on the skin. And then, only flip it once. Needs only 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Cast iron pan
For best results, use a cast iron pan. It holds more heat than other pans and produces the best sear.
How to cook salmon
In my opinion, all salmon needs is heat and oil. Or gentle heat and water. How you do this is up to you. See below for all methods of how to cook salmon.
Sear: You can make a pan seared salmon in your cast iron skillet or frying pan and some oil. That will ensure a beautiful seared salmon. It only needs about 3 minutes on each side depending on its thickness and your desired level of doneness. The recipe below is an easy and fool-proof pan seared salmon recipe.
Broil: You can also broil salmon in your oven, again with oil and heat. I’ve had success with broiling in an oven that ran as hot as 600 degrees F. But I’ve found that some ovens do not run hot enough to get the job done. When in doubt, invest in a cast iron skillet. I promise that it will come in handy again and again for you.
Sous Vide: Some people like the sous vide method, which cooks it slowly at a set temperature. Then they finish with a sear.
Poach: You can also poach salmon, which involves cooking it gently in a hot water bath. It will prevent over-drying, but lacks the nice crunch and smokiness of searing.
Sauces/Marinades: If you want to get fancy with sauces and marinades, some friends of salmon are: ginger, citrus, miso, soy sauce, cilantro, fresh herbs. I made a miso glaze for this salmon recipe. Some people make a miso marinade for their salmon.
Image by DanaTentis from Pixabay
Patties: Salmon can be chopped up and made into salmon patties/cakes, which are then pan fried.
If possible, always inspect the color, smell, and texture of your meats and proteins before purchasing. With salmon, you are looking for a bright reddish orange color. If you start seeing grey in the meat, especially where the fat is right below the skin, run. Far away. That fish has been sitting around far too long. And, of course, the fishier the smell, the older the fish usually is.
Orange Miso Glazed Salmon
Equipment
- cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp miso paste
- 1 whole orange juice of whole and zest of 1/2 orange
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp chopped fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 filets salmon room temperature
Instructions
- Start by making glaze for salmon. In a small sauce pan, add in soy sauce, miso paste, orange juice and zest, sugar, water, and chopped fresh ginger. Cook on medium heat for 5-10 minutes, or until reduced to just coat the back of a spoon.
- While glaze is reducing, pat down salmon with a clean paper towel. Season with salt. Set aside.
- Heat a cast iron skillet on high. When you see smoke start to come off the pan, reduce the heat to medium high. Then add oil and let sit for a few seconds. Once oil is glistening and hot, add in salmon. If there is skin on the salmon, place down the salmon skin side down first. Allow to sear and do not move from pan for 3-4 minutes.
- After 2-3 minutes, or when a golden brown crust forms on the salmon skin and it feels crispy, gently turn over and allow to sear for another 3-4 minutes on the other side.
- Check on the glaze to prevent burning. It is done when it gently coats the back of a spoon. Adjust for seasoning.
- Remove salmon from cast iron skillet when both sides have a golden brown sear. Top with orange miso glaze.
Happy cooking! Tag me on Instagram @jennskitchendiary if you’ve made this dish! Would love to see how it turned out.
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