Wasabi Encrusted Salmon with Baby Spinach Salad

Hooray for more salmon recipes! Did you know that eating cold water fish like salmon is supposed to be good for brain function? That's because of the omega-3s and amino acids. That's a nice side benefit, because salmon is one of my favorite fishes!

I know I've used wasabi and salmon together before, but this is a totally new way of putting them together. It all comes down to my secret ingredient: Wasabi peas!

Grocery list items:

16 oz salmon

Wasabi peas

Baby spinach

avocado 

Wasabi Encrusted Salmon
16 oz salmon, or four servings of 4 oz each
1/3 cup wasabi peas
4 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp lemon juice

I love this part. Make your wasabi "breadcrumbs" by putting the peas in a plastic bag and squashing them with a rolling pin. A few times over and you should have some good crumbs. 

Mix up your mayonnaise and lemon juice. 

Add your wasabi crumbs!

Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease it. Lay out your salmon and top it with the wasabi mixture. Place it under the broiler and cook for 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on it so the top doesn't burn. In the meantime, whip up your quick salad. 

My salmon got a bit crispy on top, and it was still nice and rare underneath (but not raw).

Baby Spinach Salad with Sesame Dressing

1 tbsp white miso 

1 tsp sesame oil 

1/4 cup rice vinegar 

2 cups baby spinach 

1 avocado, sliced

chives, for garnish

Mix together a dressing with the miso, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Use a whisk to stir it all up!

You're ready to serve! Toss your baby spinach with some dressing, top with avocado, and it's ready to eat along with your delicious, spicy-sweet salmon. It tastes restaurant-rich but is so easy to make at home. I hope you make it soon and enjoy!

Wasabi Encrusted Salmon

16 oz salmon (four servings of 4 oz)

1/3 cup wasabi peas
4 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp butter, softened (optional)

Directions:
1. Crush wasabi peas by placing them in a plastic bag and rolling them with a rolling pin
2. Mix together mayonnaise, lemon juice, and butter (if desired) until smooth.

3. Stir in wasabi pea crumbs

4. Line a pan with foil and grease lightly. 

5. Place salmon on pan and top with wasabi mixture.

7. Broil salmon until top is browned and fish is desired doneness (10 min approx.)

Baby Spinach Salad with Miso Sesame Dressing

1 tbsp white miso 

1 tsp sesame oil 

1/4 cup rice vinegar 

2 cups baby spinach 

1 avocado, sliced

chives, for garnish

Directions:
1. Mix together miso, sesame oil, and rice vinegar with a whisk until smooth.
2. Toss baby spinach with dressing and top with avocado slices.

3.  Garnish with chives

4. Serve alongside wasabi salmon and enjoy!