Ginger-Infused Five Spice Salmon with Steamed Vegetables
Elevate your dinner experience with this Ginger-Infused Five Spice Salmon recipe, designed for bamboo steaming. The salmon is tender and infused with a perfect blend of Chinese five spice, soy sauce, and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar, creating a deliciously fragrant dish. Paired with fresh steamed vegetables, this one-pot meal is not only flavorful but also healthy. Serve it over a bed of fluffy rice and drizzle with your favorite oriental sauce, such as Iron Chef's Orange-Ginger Sauce, for added zest. Ideal for a family dinner or entertaining guests, this dish is sure to impress. Note that the cooking time mentioned excludes marinating time, so plan accordingly to ensure the best flavor. If you prefer, the rice wine can be substituted with cooking sherry or gin.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
skinless salmon fillet
1.5 lbs (cut into 1-inch strips)
soy sauce
3 tablespoons (none)
Chinese rice wine
3 tablespoons (none)
sesame oil
2 teaspoons (none)
brown sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
lime or lemon juice
1 tablespoon (none)
Chinese five spice powder
1 teaspoon (none)
hot pepper sauce
2-3 dashes (to taste)
ginger
1 tablespoon (grated, to taste)
lemon or lime wedge
1 (for serving)
Instructions
1
In a shallow non-metallic baking dish or a ziplock bag, combine the soy sauce, Chinese rice wine, sesame oil, brown sugar, lime or lemon juice, Chinese five spice powder, hot pepper sauce, and grated ginger.
2
Add the salmon strips to the marinade, gently turning to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. For optimal taste, marinate for up to 6 hours, turning occasionally.
3
After marinating, remove the salmon from the marinade and place it in a casserole dish or a modified aluminum cake pan that fits in your bamboo steamer, allowing steam to circulate.
4
Generously brush the salmon with your favorite oriental sauce and sprinkle additional grated ginger over the top for extra flavor.
5
Cover the bamboo steamer with its lid and place it over boiling water. Steam the salmon for 10-12 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork.
6
Serve the steamed salmon over a bed of rice, accompanied by a wedge of lemon or lime for a fresh finish. Enjoy with your choice of steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ginger-Infused Five Spice Salmon?
It is a healthy, fragrant dish where salmon is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, Chinese five spice, and ginger, then steamed to perfection in a bamboo steamer.
How should I prepare the salmon for this recipe?
You should use 1.5 lbs of skinless salmon fillet and cut it into 1-inch strips before marinating.
What are the key ingredients in the marinade?
The marinade consists of soy sauce, Chinese rice wine, sesame oil, brown sugar, lime or lemon juice, Chinese five spice powder, hot pepper sauce, and grated ginger.
How long should I marinate the salmon?
Marinate the salmon for a minimum of 30 minutes. For the best flavor, you can marinate it for up to 6 hours, turning it occasionally.
What kind of container should I use for marinating?
Use a shallow non-metallic baking dish or a ziplock bag to prevent reactions with the acidic ingredients.
What can I substitute for Chinese rice wine?
If you don't have Chinese rice wine, you can use cooking sherry or gin as a substitute.
How long does it take to steam the salmon?
The salmon takes approximately 10 to 12 minutes to steam over boiling water.
How do I know when the salmon is fully cooked?
The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
What equipment is needed for steaming?
A bamboo steamer with a lid is ideal. You will also need a casserole dish or a modified aluminum cake pan that fits inside the steamer.
Should the salmon be placed directly on the bamboo steamer?
No, place the salmon in a casserole dish or pan within the steamer to contain the juices while still allowing steam to circulate.
What should I serve with this salmon?
It is best served over a bed of fluffy rice with a side of steamed vegetables.
Is there a specific sauce recommended for serving?
The recipe suggests drizzling with an oriental sauce, such as Iron Chef's Orange-Ginger Sauce.
How do I add extra ginger flavor?
You can generously brush the salmon with sauce and sprinkle additional grated ginger over the top right before steaming.
Can I use lemon instead of lime?
Yes, either lemon or lime juice can be used in the marinade and for the final garnish.
Does the total time include marinating?
No, the stated cooking time of 10-12 minutes excludes the marinating time, which requires at least 30 extra minutes.
Is this dish considered healthy?
Yes, it is a healthy choice as it uses steaming as a cooking method and includes fresh vegetables and lean protein.
How much ginger is required?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of grated ginger, though you can adjust this to your taste.
Can this recipe be made spicy?
Yes, you can adjust the heat by adding more or fewer dashes of hot pepper sauce to the marinade.
What is Chinese five spice powder?
It is a spice blend typically containing star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds, providing a complex flavor profile.
How much salmon does this recipe use?
The recipe is based on 1.5 lbs of skinless salmon fillet.
Do I need to turn the salmon while steaming?
No, you only need to turn the salmon occasionally while it is marinating, not while it is steaming.
Can I use salmon with skin?
While the recipe specifies skinless fillets for better marinade absorption and texture, you could use skin-on if preferred, though it may change the experience.
Is the brown sugar necessary?
The tablespoon of brown sugar provides a hint of sweetness that balances the savory soy sauce and spices.
What kind of rice goes best with this dish?
Fluffy white rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice all work well as a base for the salmon.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients, including the salmon, marinade components, and garnishes.
Can I prepare the marinade in advance?
Yes, you can mix the marinade ingredients ahead of time and store them until you are ready to add the salmon.
Is this a good dish for guests?
Absolutely, the fragrant aroma and impressive presentation of the bamboo steamer make it ideal for entertaining.
What makes this a 'one-pot' meal?
By steaming the vegetables in the same bamboo steamer as the salmon, you create a complete meal in one cooking setup.
How much sesame oil is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of sesame oil for the marinade.
What is the final touch for serving?
Serve with a fresh wedge of lemon or lime to squeeze over the fish right before eating.