Fast & Easy Dinner: Crunchy Wasabi Salmon

December 23, 2008

Spicy wasabi peas can kick up your party-food spread, and this popular snack can do the same for a thick piece of salmon. The sinus-clearing punch of horseradish mellows out when the peas are ground up and used as a coating on roasted fish. Zest of lime and shredded cabbage make for a pretty plate, while another pea — sugar snap — offers even more crunch with a touch of sweetness.

I've made this dish several times, and it's always far more satisfying than it is a challenge. See how simple it is to make when you read more.

From Bon Appétit

Crunchy Wasabi Salmon With Lime

Ingredients

3/4 cup wasabi peas (about 3 ounces)
4 (8-ounce) salmon fillets with skin (each about 1 inch to 1 1/4 inches thick)
1 tablespoon finely grated lime peel
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
6 cups thinly sliced red cabbage (about 1/2 large head)
1 (8-ounce) package trimmed sugar snap peas
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Lime wedges

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Blend wasabi peas in processor until ground but with some coarsely crushed pieces.
Lightly oil rimmed baking sheet. Arrange salmon fillets, skin side down, on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle fish with salt. Press ground wasabi peas onto tops of salmon fillets to adhere, covering tops completely. Sprinkle grated lime peel over salmon; drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil.
Roast salmon just until opaque in center, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add cabbage and sugar snap peas; sauté until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Transfer 1 salmon fillet to each of 4 plates. Drizzle with lime juice. Mound cabbage-snap pea mixture alongside. Garnish with lime wedges and serve.

Serves 4.