One of my favorite spices is Spanish smoked paprika, known in Spain as pimentón.
There are both hot and sweet versions, and I find them both indispensable for adding flavor.
I started using them decades ago to replace liquid smoke in recipes. I have no idea if liquid smoke is bad for you or not (some articles suggest it is, while others say it’s fine), but I find it vaguely creepy.
Pimentón, in addition to its smoky essence, imparts the rich flavor and color of capsicum peppers. A bonus, right?
Today’s Salmon recipe came to me from an acquaintance, who said she was passing it along from another source, the story of so many wonderful recipes. I assume it is from a magazine but I am not sure.
The accompanying lentil recipe is one I made up, but I am sure someone – somewhere – has come up with the same concoction. It’s lentils, after all, not rocket science.
This is a great meal to throw together when you get home after work, want something really flavorful, and don’t want to spend hours making it.
My modus operandi is to set the fish marinating, then change into my pajamas, find some wine to pour, prep the lentils and spice mixture, and prepare for dinner (and a movie), all in about 15 minutes,
I have it down to an art. It’s a beautiful thing.
~ David (a.k.a. Smoky Spice)
Smoky Cinnamon Salmon with Mushroom Lentils
1 large organic orange
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves, divided
4 6-ounce salmon fillets, skin removed
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon sweet smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon sea salt
mushroom lentils, for serving (recipe follows)
Finely grate zest from the orange and set aside. Juice the orange and measure ¼ cup of juice and set aside. Reserve remaining juice for another purpose.
Mix orange juice, olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of the thyme in small bowl. Place salmon in large glass dish and add marinade. Turn to coat well. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Mix sugar, smoked paprika, cinnamon, orange peel, remaining teaspoon thyme, and sea salt in a small bowl. Remove salmon from marinade. Place on greased foil-lined baking pan. Rub tops of salmon evenly with smoked paprika mixture. Discard the marinade.
Roast salmon in preheated 400°F oven for 12-13 (10-11 minutes if wild salmon) minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. For thin filets, reduce cooking time.
While salmon is roasting, make the lentils (recipe follows).
Divide the lentils among four dinner plates and top with the roasted salmon.
Makes 4 servings.
Mushroom Lentils
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large carrot, diced
2 celery ribs, diced
1 large shallot, diced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
4 large cremini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
2 1/2 cups cooked lentils (I used Trader Joe’s)
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine
salt and pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat and sauté the carrot, celery, and shallot until clear and softened a little. Add the sliced mushrooms and continue to sauté until they have released their liquid and are beginning to brown. Add the thyme, and cook another minute.
Add the lentils, broth, and wine, then season with salt and pepper. Cook at a brisk simmer until the liquid has almost completely evaporated.
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Sippity Sup
March 31, 2018 at 3:24 pmI make a very similar meal often. It's delicious, but I'm wondering if it might taste better in my pajamas. GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
March 31, 2018 at 3:31 pmTo me, Greg, everything states better when I am in my pajamas.
Gerlinde
March 31, 2018 at 10:28 pmI like the salmon with the lentils and everything tastes better in comfortable clothing.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 1, 2018 at 4:32 pmGerlinde – I have the feeling a lot of us will begin to admit that dining in comfortable clothes is much more fun!
John | heneedsfood
April 1, 2018 at 12:09 amI have visions of you in your PJs, sipping on vino and pottering about the kitchen. How perfect! I share your love for smoked paprika, as I often sneak it into my cooking for that gorgeous flavour and aroma. As for liquid smoke, what's it actually made from? Is there anything 'real' in it?
I think I'll be trying this marinade next time I buy salmon. It sounds divine!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 1, 2018 at 4:33 pmI know from my reading that everything in (some brands of)liquid smoke is natural, but I still find it creepy! Think of it as distilled smoke. I will stick to piemrntón!
Eha
April 1, 2018 at 10:04 amUhuh, have to confess to both the pyjamas and the vino! So civilized!! Love your lentil recipe, even tho' the mushrooms used may not be cremini . . . and the salmon just has to be tried! As an extra bonus I slipped out awhile to talk to my dear friend Mr Google, and liquid smoke seems to be an amine which many, many people use instead of soy sauce (:))) and should I get curious enough, it is actually available in a number of Sydney's better food stores including the newish 'USA Foods' I did not even realize was there . . . Hope you are having a very happy Easter!!!!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 1, 2018 at 4:38 pmHappy Easter to you, too!
As I said to Gerlinde, I think we will find we aren’t alone in our pajamas and vino!
The mushrooms are sold as cremini – what makes you say they might not be? Would love to know!
The liquid smoke available here isn’t an amino – far from it, however, it is theoretically safe and is probably distilled smoke.
Eha
April 1, 2018 at 11:44 pmMy apologies! I do manage to express myself poorly at times 🙂 ! All I meant to say was that I may not be able to buy cremini mushrooms in rural Australia and probably shall substitute . . . sorry!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 2, 2018 at 12:08 amAhh, I understand now! I was thinking there was a difference I was missing! No need to apologize! Any mushroom will work fine! 🙂
2pots2cook
April 2, 2018 at 5:33 amPerfect for late dinner during the week. Thank you !
Cocoa & Lavender
April 3, 2018 at 2:10 pmIt is! It takes no time at all!
Emma - Bake Then Eat
April 2, 2018 at 9:26 pmNothing beats a quick tasty meal that can be enjoyed in your PJ's.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 3, 2018 at 2:11 pmThat is so true, Emma – and then we can enjoy our movie-du-soir in our PJs!
All That I'm Eating
April 5, 2018 at 2:58 pmThis sounds great, I think smoked paprika is one of my favourite spices too. Love the sound of those mushroom lentils.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 8, 2018 at 4:07 pmCaroline, I remember my first taste of pimentón! What a flavor!
Provence WineZine
April 6, 2018 at 7:47 pmThat looks soooo good on this snowy April afternoon ! :-/ I love that crust on the salmon–I bet that is good!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 8, 2018 at 4:08 pmI feel for you Susan – I can’t remember how many times I had to use the phrase, “… on this snowy APRIL afternoon…” Yes, this dish would be the perfect antidote.
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
April 7, 2018 at 2:36 amHey, Smoky Spice! Your paragraph about liquid smoke could've been written by me – don't know if I'll ever come to a definitive conclusion about the matter! This sounds marvelous.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 8, 2018 at 4:09 pmJean, no matter how safe they say it is, it just creeps me out! I will stick to pimentón!
Christina | Christina's Cucina
April 7, 2018 at 8:15 pmWhat a lovely idea to serve fish on lentils! I'm not a fan of smoky stuff, so mine would be sans smoke 🙂 I agree on that liquid smoke stuff; a bit disconcerting!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 8, 2018 at 4:10 pmSalmon and lentils is a classic French preparation, Christena – you will love it!
Inger@Art of Natural Living
April 9, 2018 at 2:34 pmWhat a great pairing David! And I agree that the liquid smoke always did feel suspicious — though I had no factual basis for that!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 15, 2018 at 1:42 pmInger – I couldn't find any negatives about liquid smoke, except for a lot of intuitive feelings. And I always go with my intuition! 🙂
Frank
April 14, 2018 at 1:52 pmLooks wonderful, David. I'm with you on pimentón, I love the stuff. And with liquid smoke. I haven't read up on it, the whole idea is—you're exactly right—downright creepy.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 15, 2018 at 1:43 pmI love that you can get both sweet and hot pimentón, Frank! So much flavor!
Basket Ball hoop
May 15, 2018 at 5:40 pmReally I like your idea David,i like spices.
healthdy
Cocoa & Lavender
May 15, 2018 at 7:42 pmThanks, Raquib! Spices are the best!