
This dish is big on flavour but could not be simpler to throw together. Leftover salmon is unlikely but delicious for lunch the next day.
Wine Suggestion: you need a white with some oomph to match the umami, deep flavours here. Something like the Soalheiro Alvarinho Reserva from northern Portugal which combines ripe stonefruit flavours with a twist of quinine minerality and texture, overlaid with a toasty, nuttiness from barrel aging.
Mirin-glazed salmon – serves 4
- 60ml mirin
- 50g light brown sugar
- 60ml soy sauce
- 4 x pieces skinless salmon fillet
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1-2 scallions, shredded into fine strips
Mix the mirin, brown sugar and soy sauce in a shallow dish that will fit the salmon pieces. Marinate the salmon for 3 minutes on the first side, then turn it over and leave for another 2 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick frying pan on the hob.
Heat a dry pan over high heat. Place the salmon in the pan and sear for 2 minutes. Flip the pieces over and continue cooking. After another 2 minutes, pour in the marinade.
If your salmon pieces are thick or very large, extend the cooking time before adding the marinade, wait until the salmon is almost cooked through. If you add the marinade too soon it will turn to caramel.
Remove the salmon to a plate, then add the vinegar to the sauce and warm through.
Pour the glaze over the salmon and top with the scallions. Serve with sticky rice and sushi ginger if you have it (though not essential).
(Original recipe from Nigella Express, Chatto & Windus, 2007.)













We can’t resist those little plastic tubs of pork rillettes found in the fridge section of French supermarkets. Here’s what happened the end of the tub we brought home. No more rillettes until next year… unless we try making it ourselves of course.

