How to cook delicious salmon with coconut sauce

• Perfect Meal: This delicious recipe ticks all the boxes as the perfect meal whether you're feeding your family or impressing your guests at a dinner party.
• Simple Ingredients: With everyday ingredients from your pantry, you'll be surprised at how these simple items can be transformed into a culinary masterpiece.
• Easy to Prepare: Unlike other complex seafood recipes, this one will not leave you breaking a sweat in the kitchen. It's a smooth, uncomplicated process you'll enjoy.

1. If you're planning to serve rice with your meal, start cooking it now—this is the perfect time to do so.
2. Wash the red pepper, cilantro, salmon, and celery stick thoroughly.
3. Peel and chop the onion and garlic clove finely.
4. Chop the red pepper and celery stick into bite-sized pieces.
5. Chop the cilantro and set all the ingredients aside.
6. Mix pitted olives and capers in a small bowl, then set them aside.
7. Rinse the salmon with water and lemon, then pat it dry with a paper towel. Cut it into 4 equal pieces.
8. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the salmon pieces, sprinkling a bit of salt on top. Fry for about 3 minutes on each side, then remove from the pan.
9. In the same pan, add the chopped onion, red pepper, celery, olives, and capers. Sauté for 2 minutes while stirring.
10. Add garlic, thyme, and oregano, and sauté for another minute.
11. Mix in the tomato paste and sauté for an additional minute.
12. Pour the coconut milk and water into the pan, stirring until the tomato paste and coconut cream blend together seamlessly.
13. Add the cilantro and a pinch of salt. Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
14. Remove the pan from the stove and blend the sauce using a heat-resistant blender or a stick blender until smooth.
15. Pour the blended sauce back into the pan, add the salmon pieces, and let them cook for 15 minutes on low-medium heat.
16. Your coconut salmon is now ready to serve.

The Unsung Hero: Coconut Sauce

True to its reputation, the coconut sauce is as rich and indulgent as they come. It not only brings together the diverse tastes in the dish but also lends it a level of complexity that's hard to achieve otherwise. It's creamy, slightly sweet, with a hint of tang, and when combined with the spiced salmon, it's nothing short of food alchemy.

Searing Salmon: More Than Just Browned Edges

When it comes to the salmon, you'll want to sear it before dousing it generously in the coconut curry sauce. This process enhances the flavor and texture of the fish, creating a beautiful, browned crust while ensuring the fish is tender and flaky. A well-seared salmon isn't just about presentation—it's also about flavor.

Thick and Creamy: Coconut Sauce Preparation

Lastly, the coconut sauce. It’s cooked separately, with the secret ingredient being tapioca flour which is used to thicken the sauce. A little patience will be needed here - but the result is a thick, creamy sauce bursting with flavors and aroma that beautifully complements the spice rubbed, seared salmon.

The Grand Finale: Garnishing and Serving

The finishing touch involves garnishing with cilantro and lime zest and, voila! This enthralling Coconut Salmon dish is ready to be relished. The vibrant citrus pop of lime and the fresh notes of cilantro can transform this dish from already extraordinary to absolutely sublime. So, don't skip on the garnish!

Now that we've walked through the main steps, let's dive into some valuable tips and tricks that can transform your salmon dish from good to exceptional!

Choose the Best Salmon

Always start with the best quality ingredients. In this case, fresh, sustainably farmed or wild-caught salmon that is firm to the touch, has a glossy appearance, and does not have a strong fishy smell.

Balance Your Flavors

The beauty of this dish lies in the balance of flavors. The salinity of the spice rub on the salmon contrasts beautifully against the sweetness of the coconut sauce. Be mindful of the balance of flavors and adjust to your taste if necessary.

Keep a Watchful Eye

Searing the salmon is a quick process, and it can easily go from perfectly cooked to overdone in no time. Keep a keen eye during this step to make sure your salmon is just cooked to perfection.

Get Creative with Garnishes

While the recipe calls for specific garnishes, don't feel limited. You can add a sprinkling of fresh herbs, a touch of citrus zest, or even a splash of hot sauce to give it your personal twist.

Pair with the Perfect Side

Consider serving your coconut salmon over a bed of steamy rice to soak up all the delicious sauce. Or perhaps a side of sautéed vegetables for some added crunch. The possibilities are endless!

And, Enjoy!

Last, but certainly not least, take the time to savor every bite. Experiment, learn, and most importantly, enjoy the process of preparing this delicious dish that's sure to earn a permanent spot in your kitchen repertoire.