Spicy Salmon “Sushi” Bowl

Many moons ago, I was tasked with publishing a recipe of the week for people in the program to take home and try. My co-worker, a fellow RD, came to me one day with a crazy idea. Salmon MADE IN THE MICROWAVE. It seemed too good to be true. Tasty, juicy salmon made in less than 7 minutes with minimal cleanup? Needless to say, we both decided to do a test run at home before we published and boy were we shocked.

This recipe works every time and yields a delicious (and juicy!) salmon filet in 5-7 minutes. The best part? You can even cook the salmon from frozen - just add a minute or two in the microwave. 

Portions listed here make a single serving.

Ingredients:

• Salmon (1-2 pieces of thawed, 4 oz total)

• Quinoa (¾ cup cooked)

• Sriracha mayo (1 tbsp)

• Cucumber (½ cup, sliced)

• Avocado (¼-½ medium, diced)

• Shredded carrot (¼ cup)

• Lime wedges (for garnish, optional)

Instructions:

1. Poach the Salmon in the Microwave:

   • Place 1-2 pieces of thawed salmon in a high-sided microwave-safe baking dish. Ensure the salmon doesn’t rise above the top of the dish.

   • Brush or top the salmon with sriracha mayo (adjust to your spice preference).

   • Tightly cover the dish with saran wrap, making sure the salmon doesn't touch the wrap. If it does, use a deeper dish to avoid contact.

   • Microwave on high for about 5 minutes, checking for doneness (145°F internally or the fish should flake easily when pierced with a fork).

   • Carefully unwrap the dish as steam will escape and can be very hot.

2. Prepare the Quinoa:

   • While the salmon is microwaving, cook the quinoa according to package instructions (about 10-12 minutes). For a quicker option, use a 90-second bag of quinoa. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

3. Assemble the Bowl:

   • In a large bowl, layer the cooked quinoa as the base.

   • Top with the poached salmon, sliced cucumber, diced avocado, and shredded carrot.

4. Add the Finishing Touches:

   • Drizzle sriracha mayo over the top of the bowl. Adjust the amount based on your spice preference.

   • Garnish with lime wedges and a sprinkle of cilantro if desired.

   Mix everything together, or keep the components separate for a fresh, customizable bite with each forkful.

Tips for Success

Customize your toppings: Add sesame seeds, chopped scallions, or radishes for an extra layer of flavor and crunch.

Meal prep tip: Poach multiple pieces of salmon at once and store them in the fridge for easy assembly throughout the week.