Sweet & Spicy Ancho Honey Salmon with Black Bean Sauce
Get ready to elevate your dining experience with this Sweet & Spicy Ancho Honey Salmon. Inspired by Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill, this recipe beautifully balances spicy and sweet flavors, resulting in a tender, mouthwatering salmon fillet. The rich ancho chili glaze caramelizes beautifully in the pan, while the savory black bean sauce adds texture and warmth. Served alongside a creamy roasted jalapeño crema, this dish transforms any meal into a gourmet feast. Perfect for impressing guests or for a delightful weeknight dinner, this dish promises to become a family favorite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Honey
1/3 cup (none)
Dried Ancho Chile Powder
1 tablespoon (none)
Dijon Mustard
1 tablespoon (none)
Salt
to taste (none)
Pepper
to taste (none)
Salmon Fillets
4 (8 oz. each) (none)
Canola Oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Dried Black Beans
1 1/2 cups (rinsed and sorted)
Red Onion
1 small (peeled and coarsely chopped)
Garlic Cloves
2 (minced)
Chipotle Chiles in Adobo
2 (chopped)
Ground Cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
Water
enough to cover (for black bean sauce)
Sour Cream or Crème Fraîche
1/2 cup (none)
Roasted Jalapeño
1 large (peeled, seeded, and chopped)
Salt and Pepper
to taste (for crema)
Instructions
1
1. Prepare the Spicy Black Bean Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the dried black beans, coarsely chopped red onion, garlic cloves, chopped chipotles in adobo, and ground cumin. Add enough cold water to cover the ingredients by about an inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer until the beans are tender, stirring occasionally. If the mixture appears dry, add more water as needed.
2
2. After the beans are cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the mixture to a food processor. Blend in 1 cup of the cooking liquid until the sauce is a little chunky. Season with salt to taste and set aside.
3
3. While the black bean sauce simmers, prepare the Roasted Jalapeño Crema: In a food processor, combine sour cream (or crème fraîche) and the roasted jalapeño. Blend until smooth and well mixed. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4
4. Now, prepare the Salmon: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, dried ancho chili powder, and Dijon mustard. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
5
5. Preheat a nonstick sauté pan over high heat. Brush each salmon fillet with canola oil on both sides, then season with salt and pepper.
6
6. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the hot pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Brush the tops of the salmon with the ancho glaze.
7
7. Carefully flip the salmon and cook for an additional 2 minutes until a crust has formed and the salmon is cooked to medium doneness.
8
8. Once cooked, remove the salmon from the pan, placing it glazed-side up. Brush with more of the ancho glaze to enhance the flavor.
9
9. To serve, spoon some Spicy Black Bean Sauce onto a plate, drizzle with the Roasted Jalapeño Crema, and place the salmon in the center, ensuring the glazed side faces up.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the inspiration for this Sweet & Spicy Ancho Honey Salmon recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the flavors of Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill, balancing spicy and sweet elements.
What are the main components of this dish?
The dish consists of ancho-glazed salmon, a spicy black bean sauce, and a roasted jalape!o crema.
What ingredients are needed for the ancho glaze?
The glaze is made by whisking together honey, dried ancho chili powder, and Dijon mustard.
How do I prepare the black bean sauce?
Simmer dried black beans with red onion, garlic, chipotles in adobo, and cumin until tender, then blend with some cooking liquid.
What aromatics are used in the black bean sauce?
The sauce uses coarsely chopped red onion and two minced garlic cloves.
How much cooking liquid should be used when blending the beans?
Use 1 cup of the cooking liquid to achieve a slightly chunky consistency.
What is the texture of the Spicy Black Bean Sauce?
The sauce should be blended until it is a little chunky rather than perfectly smooth.
What ingredients are in the Roasted Jalape!o Crema?
The crema is made from sour cream (or cr!me fra"che) and a roasted, peeled, and seeded jalape!o.
How long should the crema be refrigerated before serving?
Refrigerate the crema for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld properly.
How do I prepare the salmon fillets for cooking?
Brush both sides of the fillets with canola oil and season them with salt and pepper.
Which side of the salmon should be cooked first?
The salmon fillets should be placed in the pan skin-side down first.
How do I get crispy salmon skin?
Cook the fillets skin-side down over high heat for 2-3 minutes until they are golden and crispy.
When do I apply the ancho honey glaze to the salmon?
Brush the glaze on top of the salmon after the skin is crispy, and then again once the salmon is finished cooking.
How long does the salmon cook after it is flipped?
After flipping, cook the salmon for an additional 2 minutes until a crust forms.
What is the recommended doneness for the salmon?
The recipe recommends cooking the salmon to medium doneness.
How should the final dish be plated?
Spoon the black bean sauce onto a plate, drizzle with the crema, and place the salmon glazed-side up in the center.
Can I use something other than sour cream for the crema?
Yes, cr!me fra"che is a recommended alternative for the crema base.
What kind of oil is best for searing the salmon?
Canola oil is used in this recipe for its high smoke point.
What size salmon fillets are used?
The recipe calls for four 8-ounce salmon fillets.
How do I prepare the jalape!o for the crema?
The jalape!o should be roasted, peeled, seeded, and chopped before blending.
What kind of black beans does the recipe require?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of dried black beans that have been rinsed and sorted.
What spices are used to season the beans?
The beans are seasoned with ground cumin and chopped chipotles in adobo.
What should I do if the beans dry out while cooking?
If the mixture appears dry, add more water as needed to keep the ingredients covered.
What equipment is needed for the sauces?
A medium saucepan is needed for the beans, and a food processor is used for blending both the sauce and the crema.
Is the salmon glaze seasoned?
Yes, the honey, ancho powder, and mustard mixture should be seasoned with salt and pepper.
What type of pan is recommended for the salmon?
A nonstick saut! pan is recommended to prevent the salmon and glaze from sticking.
How many chipotle chiles are needed?
The recipe calls for two chopped chipotle chiles in adobo.
Does the recipe use dried or fresh ancho chiles?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 tablespoon of dried ancho chili powder.
How do I ensure the salmon has a good crust?
Ensure the pan is preheated over high heat and cook the flipped salmon for 2 minutes to form the crust.
Is this recipe suitable for a dinner party?
Yes, it is described as a gourmet meal that is perfect for impressing guests.