Description
Homemade crunchy brown rice salmon bowls with herbed tahini dressing combine Pacific Northwest flavors with Mediterranean influences. Fresh ingredients and balanced textures create a nutritious meal perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (skin-on, 6 oz/170 g each)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 2 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or kale)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup sliced cucumbers
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ⅓ cup tahini
- 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh dill
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 24 tbsps water (to thin as needed)
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Salmon Preparation: Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, creating an ideal surface for seasoning.
- Seasoning Technique: Coat salmon evenly with smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Skillet Heating: Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until the pan reaches optimal searing temperature.
- Salmon Searing: Place salmon skin-side down, cooking for 4-5 minutes to develop a crispy golden exterior, allowing the skin to transform into a delectable texture.
- Finishing Cooking: Flip the fillet and cook an additional 3-4 minutes, achieving a perfectly medium doneness with a slightly translucent center.
- Herbed Tahini Dressing: Combine tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, parsley, dill, and honey in a mixing bowl, whisking to create a harmonious blend.
- Dressing Consistency: Gradually incorporate water to develop a smooth, pourable sauce that will elegantly drape over the bowl components.
- Bowl Assembly: Create a base layer of brown rice in serving vessels, establishing a robust foundation for the remaining ingredients.
- Vegetable Layering: Strategically arrange mixed greens, carrots, cucumbers, and avocado atop the rice, creating a vibrant and textural landscape.
- Final Presentation: Position the seared salmon as the centerpiece, drizzle with herbed tahini dressing, and garnish with fresh herb sprigs or lemon wedges for an elevated culinary experience.
Notes
- Select High-Quality Salmon: Choose fresh, wild-caught salmon with firm, vibrant flesh and minimal fishy odor for the best flavor and texture.
- Perfect Moisture Removal: Thoroughly pat salmon dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior when searing and prevent steaming.
- Master Searing Technique: Heat skillet until very hot, use medium-high temperature, and cook salmon skin-side down first to achieve a crisp, perfectly caramelized crust.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap brown rice with quinoa for gluten-free option, use plant-based protein alternatives like tofu for vegetarian version, or add extra vegetables for more nutrient density.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 31 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg