Most people first become familiar with miso when presented with a warming bowl of miso soup at the beginning of a Japanese meal. My kids enjoy it because it's the only time I will let them bring their bowls to their lips and slurp heartily. Their uncle will testify that I am a little uptight about table manners. Let's just say that he received an earful from me when he taught the boys to drink the rest of their cereal milk straight from the bowl. For goodness sake, what if the Queen dropped by for breakfast?
As tasty as it is, miso should not be relegated to live a life only in a soup bowl. While eating a paste made of fermented soybeans might not sound terribly tempting at first whisper, miso has a slightly salty, earthy flavor that lends itself well to glazes, sauces, and marinades. Bon Appétit Magazine featured this miso sauce, drizzling it over seared scallops and bok choy.
After experiencing the flavors of seared salmon in my Salmon with Tarragon and Shallot Butter Sauce recipe, I decided that this miso sauce would compliment seared salmon beautifully. Lightly charred baby bok choy makes a colorful and healthy bed of greens to complete the meal.
Please note that the proportions in the photos do not exactly match the recipe. My kids didn't want a full portion, so I had to make adjustments.
In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons yellow miso (also known as shinshu miso),
2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine),
and 1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger. Set aside.
Quarter 4 baby bok choy lengthwise and clean well.
Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil and ½ teaspoon sesame oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add bok choy and cook until the bok choy is wilted and brown in some spots, turning frequently, 3 to 4 minutes. Arrange the bok choy on four plates.
Season 4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets with freshly ground black pepper.
Heat 2 additional teaspoons canola oil and ½ teaspoon sesame oil in the same skillet. Add the salmon, skin side down. Cook until the salmon is cooked almost all the way through, about 4-5 minutes. Flip the salmon and cook for about 2 more minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through.
Arrange one piece of salmon on each serving of bok choy and drizzle the miso sauce over top.
Seared Salmon with Baby Bok Choy & Miso Sauce
Adapted from Bon Appétit Magazine
2 tablespoon yellow miso (shinshu miso)
2 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoon mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)
1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
4 teaspoon canola oil, divided
1 teaspoon sesame oil, divided
4 baby bok choy, quartered lengthwise
4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
Freshly ground black pepper
In a small bowl, whisk together miso, rice vinegar, mirin, and grated ginger. Set aside.
Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil and ½ teaspoon sesame oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add bok choy and cook until the bok choy is wilted and brown in some spots, turning frequently, 3 to 4 minutes. Arrange the bok choy on four plates. Heat 2 additional teaspoons canola oil and ½ teaspoon sesame oil in the same skillet. Add the salmon, skin side down. Cook until the salmon is cooked almost all the way through, about 4-5 minutes. Flip the salmon and cook for about 2 more minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through.
Arrange one piece of salmon on each serving of bok choy and drizzle the miso sauce over top. Serve immediately.
Serves 4.
AppleC
I bet the flavors of this dish are outstanding. I have some Miso paste that I have to use, maybe I can use some for a version of this recipe. Love it and the photo looks great.
Snooty Primadona
Wonderful recipe and one I think I can actually make. However, I doubt that it will be as pretty as this...
Rochelle
Gorgeous photos! The baby bok choy at my store doesn't look nearly as appetizing, but I still want to go out and buy some and make this 🙂
Tasty Trix
This seriously looks mouthwatering!
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Noelle
Nice recipe and great pictures. I love bok choy!
KrisKishere
This looks fantastic! Can you suggest another fish that would be good with this? I'm not really a fan of salmon 🙂
citronetvanille
I think you must read my mind, I am making salmon too. Your looks delicious! love the colors.
Maria
Josh loves Bok Choy-mainly because he loves to yell BOK CHOY-especially when we are buying it at the store:) Lovely photos and dish!
Spicie Foodie
Lovely photos. Salmon is just wonderful with miso and ginger. Great recipe.
Ravenous Couple
we have a brand new pack of miso in the fridge waiting to be open...great recipe!
Natalie
This looks so delicious, and healthy! I always love your recipes, they remind me of something I would make myself.
The salmon looks like it has the perfect sear too.
Laura
I love miso paste, especially in soup. The salmon looks delicious, and the bok choy.... Yummy.
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Christine
Miso is so wonderful that would make meat and veggies more attractive!
The presentation of this dish is so appealing! Love it very much!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
I'm never sure when a recipe calls for miso, which miso to use. Yellow seems to be the easiest to find, but I also see white, red and brown.
Divina Pe
The photo looks amazing. The dish is spectacular. My nephew Joshua loves mis soup too. Wow, simple dish with lots of flavor.
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Sophie
This a lovely dish I make from time to time. I vary the fish for choiken or pork.
A yummie dish beautifully presented too!
BouchonFor2.com
Yummy 🙂 Love the oily salmon with savory miso. I have 3 recipes with miso too!
Jenn
Hehe...I'm guilty of drinking the milk straight from the bowl. LOL.
I agree that miso is great for so many other dishes aside from soup. Delicious salmon!!!!!!
alison
looks amazing !and the post with step-by-step is very beautiful!