Seared Cherryaki Salmon with Pineapple Pico de Gallo and Cilantro Green Rice

Chef Tony Finnestad was quick to invent a new recipe using our new Cherryaki Sauce on salmon. When you read through the directions, it looks more involved than it really is. It’s the perfect dish for the evening you have guests over for dinner.

Seared Cherryaki Salmon with Pineapple Pico de Gallo

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredient                                                              Amount

Vegetable Oil                                                         1 Tablespoon

Salmon Fillet                                                         2 Each, 5-6 Ounces

Kosher Salt                                                           As Needed

Black Pepper                                                         As Needed

Lemon                                                                     1 Each

Water                                                                       As Needed

Cherry Republic Cherryaki Sauce     ¼ Cup

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Heat a large non-stick pan over high heat and add the vegetable oil
3. Season your fish generously, and place into the hot pan with the presentation side (the side that used to have the skin) down. Give the pan a quick shake to make sure it’s not sticking.
4. Let the fish sear, gently shaking the pan every minute or so, for 5-7 minutes. When the salmon a nice golden-brown crisp to it, carefully flip it over.
5. Immediately squeeze the lemon juice onto the fillets, add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan, glaze both fillets with half of the cherryaki, and place the whole pan into the over.
6. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until desired doneness is achieved.
7. Place it directly on top of your green rice and dress generously with your pineapple pico de gallo. Serve and enjoy!

Pineapple Pico de Gallo

Yield: 1 pint

Ingredient                                                                           Amount

Fresh Pineapple, small dice                         3 Cups

Romas, seeded, small dice                           4 Each

Red Onion, minced                                          1/3 Cup

Cilantro, finely chopped                                2 Tablespoons

Fresh Jalapeño, minced                                 4 teaspoons

Lime Juice                                                       2 Tablespoons

Kosher Salt                                                          2 teaspoons

Cumin                                                                     ½ teaspoon

Olive Oil                                                                 1 Tablespoon

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in a stainless steel bowl.
2. Transfer to appropriate container, cover, label and date.

Cilantro Green Rice

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredient                                                                           Amount

For the green sauce:

Cilantro                                                                 1 Bunch

Parsley                                                                   ½ Bunch

Capers, drained                                                 2 Tablespoons

Lime, juice of                                                      1 Each

Garlic Cloves                                                       1 Each

Kosher Salt                                                          1 teaspoon

Black Pepper                                                       ½ teaspoon

Olive Oil                                                                 As Needed

Ingredient                                                                           Amount

For the rice:

Basmati Rice                                                       2 Cups

Water                                                                     3 ¼ Cups

Salt                                                                           1 teaspoon

Instructions for the green sauce

1. Add all ingredients except the oil to a blender or food processor. Turn the blender on and slowly add the oil in small increments, but large enough to enable the blender to blend.
2. Pour oil in until the mixture resembles a runny salsa. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
3. Set aside and reserve for later.

Instructions for rice cooking

1. Wash the rice several times. This helps remove the starches and will help to ensure your rice doesn’t end up sticky!  After you’ve rinsed it, soak it for 30 minutes.
2. In a medium sauce pan with a tight-fitting lid, combine rice, water and salt and bring to a boil. Stir once, cover and reduce heat to low.  Simmer for 16-18 minutes.  Do not lift the lid until it’s finished!
3. Remove from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes.
4. Transfer to a stainless steel bowl and mix with just enough of the green sauce to coat all the rice. NOTE:  You may not need to use all your green sauce for this amount of rice.  Reserve the remaining sauce for other yummy uses!