| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 510 | 28g | 6g | 24g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 4g | 3g | 34g | 1.4g |
Why I Love Thai Baked Salmon Fried Rice
As a lover of diverse flavours, the Baked Salmon Fried Rice recipe is, hands down, one of my favorites. Born out of the delightful intersection between the delicate, fragrant allure of Thai cuisine and the hearty robustness of homemade Southern cooking that permeates my childhood memories, this dish is an embodiment of wonderful hybrids.
The Backstory of Baked Salmon Fried Rice
Examining this beautiful plate of Baked Salmon Fried Rice, you might wonder how the journey of its creation came to be. I credit my culinary inspirations from two significant parts of my life – my Southern upbringing and my Nigerian heritage. Yet, the wild card in this fusion is the beauty of Thai cuisine, symbolized in this very recipe that smoothly unites them. Evoking a semblance of Nigerian ‘fried rice’, a celebratory dish often adorned with diced vegetables and a protein such as shrimp or chicken, it is ironically seen through a Thai lens. Maybe, the fusion aspect of my cooking style found a subtle mentor in someone like Nik Sharma, known for his vivid food exploration bridging varied cultures.
The Harmony of Flavours
The charm of this dish lies in the well-balanced harmony of flavours from the Thai fish sauce’s umami punch, a hint of sweetness from the sugar, to the earthy garlicky stir-fried jasmine rice, not to mention the baked salmon’s silky textures, artistically harmonized. With each bite, there’s a different note playing on your taste buds, yet in the grand symphony of this dish, everything syncs perfectly.
This dish, when served with a side of fresh Thai Green Papaya salad (Som Tum), makes for a full, wholesome meal, tying in freshness against the warm comfort of the fried rice. You could also pair it with a light, clear soup to balance the hearty character of the fried rice. The recipe, versatile in its own right, easily moulds itself to fit the rhythm of your dining table, whether it’s a casual dinner or a festive feast.
And there you have it – the magic of Baked Salmon Fried Rice. It’s a recipe that whispers tales of the South where I’ve strolled, of West Africa where my roots belong, and an inkling of Thai grace from lands I’ve yet to explore. It’s a celebration of taste and tales on a plate, and that’s why I hold this recipe so dear.
What You’ll Need
- 3 cups of cooked jasmine rice
- 1.5 lbs of salmon fillet
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup of green peas
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- 1/4 cup of cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, juiced
- Salt to taste
Method
Step One
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Season the salmon fillet with salt and place it on a lined baking sheet. Bake the salmon for 12-15 minutes, or until it’s cooked to your preferred doneness. Once cooked, flake the salmon with a fork and set it aside.
Step Two
While the salmon is baking, you can prepare the fried rice. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large wok or skillet. Add in the finely chopped garlic and chopped onion, cooking until the onion becomes translucent.
Step Three
Next, add in the diced carrots, chopped bell pepper, and green peas. Stir-fry for a few minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
Step Four
Push the vegetables to one side of the wok or skillet. Pour the beaten eggs into the empty side of the pan and scramble them.
Step Five
Once the eggs are scrambled, mix them with the vegetables. Add in the cooked jasmine rice. Stir everything together until the ingredients are well combined.
Step Six
In a small bowl, mix together the fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and black pepper. Pour this sauce over the rice, stir well to combine.
Step Seven
Add in the flaked salmon, green onions, chopped cilantro, and juice from the lime. Stir well to combine, then taste and add more salt if needed.
Step Eight
Serve the Baked Salmon Fried Rice hot, garnished with additional green onions and cilantro, if desired. Enjoy!
