The robust flavor of wild sockeye salmon makes the fish incredibly versatile. Even though most people are quick to bake, poach, pan-fry or grill their fillets and serve it up as is, the truth is that there are so many different and unexpected ways to enjoy salmon.
Here are 7 salmon recipe ideas that you didn’t see coming:
1. Make Pâté
Whipping up a batch of creamy, wild salmon pâté is an incredibly simple way to have salmon on hand as a healthy and satisfying snack. All you really have to do is poach and process a fillet of salmon with a few other ingredients—in this case, coconut cream and leeks—and you have a spread fit for a casual afternoon or a cocktail party. This recipe for salmon pâté freezes well, so make a big batch of pâté and freeze whatever you don’t think you’ll use in the next few days.
2. Make Salmon Candy
Even if you don't have a smoker, you can make salmon candy in your oven that's sweet and savory — perfect for snacking. After brining strips of salmon, it's baked low and slow until perfectly chewy. Make more than you think you’ll need: salmon candy is binge-worthy.
3. Make Soufflé
Feeling confident about your french cuisine skills? Poached wild salmon makes for an elegant and rich rendition of a classic soufflé.
4. Make Ravioli
For these salmon ravioli in a creamy tomato sauce, you’ll want to make your pasta from scratch if at all possible—it’s not as challenging as it sounds. Or, if you can get your hands on good quality, fresh sheets of pasta, you can substitute those to make these as well.
5. Make Meatballs
This Persian-style recipe for salmon meatballs is gluten-free, using basmati rice rather than regular breadcrumbs to bind the salmon together. Serve alongside a couple of fresh sides and either some rice or bread to sop up the delicious tomato-based sauce that accompanies these meatballs.
6. Make Onigiri
Onigiri are classic comfort food in Japan. Freshly steamed rice is shaped around a filling—in this case, cooked salmon—then wrapped in a ribbon of nori. Furikake, the addictive sweet and salty Japanese seasoning, is what jazzes up this version of wild salmon onigiri.
7. Make Scotch Eggs
This twist on a deep-fried British favorite is so drool-worthy that it’s worth the extra effort to make. Grab a partner to help you with this one or save it for a rainy day. While none of the steps in this recipe for scotch eggs are particularly complicated, there are several stages: blending spices, making salmon “sausage,” cooking the eggs, then assembling in baking the egg in a salmon sausage blanket until golden and crispy. Serve alongside good pickles and mustard.
