[ ./recipes/mains/miso-honey-glazed-salmon.md ]
★ JAPANESE · MAINS
Miso-Honey Glazed Salmon with Garlic-Sesame
Spinach.
SERVES
2
TOTAL
20m
ACTIVE
20m
LVL
EASY
// SUMMARY
White miso and honey make a gentle, glossy glaze that finishes right at the end so it stays balanced, not burnt. The salmon gets crisp skin and just-set flesh, while garlic-sesame spinach keeps the plate light and clean.
// INGREDIENTS
| 2 | salmon fillets (skin on) | |
| 1 | tbsp | neutral oil (grapeseed or sunflower) |
| 0.25 | tsp | salt |
| — Freshly ground black pepper (optional) | ||
| 1.5 | tbsp | white (helle) miso paste |
| 1 | tbsp | honey |
| 1 | tsp | soy sauce |
| 1 | tsp | rice vinegar (or a few drops lemon juice) |
| — 1-2 tbsp water (to loosen) | ||
| 250 | g | fresh spinach |
| 1 | small garlic clove, thinly sliced | |
| 1 | tbsp | neutral oil |
| 0.5 | tsp | sesame oil |
| — Pinch of salt | ||
// METHOD
- 01
Whisk miso, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp water until smooth and brushable. Add more water if it is too thick.
- 02
Pat the salmon dry and season the flesh side with salt (and pepper, if using).
- 03
Heat a pan over medium-high heat with neutral oil. Place salmon skin-side down, pressing gently for 10 seconds so the skin stays flat.
- 04
Cook skin-side down for 4-5 minutes, until the flesh is opaque about three-quarters of the way up.
- 05
Flip the salmon and lower the heat to medium-low. Brush the glaze over the flesh and cook for 30-60 seconds, spooning glaze over once. Remove immediately.
- 06
Wipe out the pan, add neutral oil, and warm over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, without browning.
- 07
Add spinach in batches, tossing until just wilted. Season lightly with salt and finish with sesame oil off the heat.
- 08
Plate spinach first, top with salmon, and spoon any remaining glaze over the fish.
// NOTES
- — Miso burns quickly above medium heat, so add the glaze only at the end.
- — Keep the spinach simple; the sesame oil should be a whisper, not a perfume.
- — For a sharper finish, add a few drops of rice vinegar or lemon over the spinach.
// VARIATIONS
- → Ginger boost: Add 1/4 tsp grated ginger to the glaze.
- → Sesame finish: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the salmon before serving.
- → Glaze catcher: Serve with steamed rice to soak up the extra glaze.