Garlic Salmon Fried Rice

Step 1

Fresh ingredients: Chop the onion, garlic, ginger, red chilies, spring onion (be sure to separate the white and green parts), carrot, and celery rib as indicated in the “Ingredients” section. Set aside. Crack the eggs in a bowl and season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Beat with a fork until smooth, then set aside.

Step 2

Make the Sauce: Combine the low sodium light soy sauce, Shao Xing rice wine, mirin, sesame oil, and chili oil (if using) in a measuring cup (for easier pouring) or small bowl. Mix with a spoon to thoroughly combine, then set aside.

Step 3

For the Salmon: Remove the fillets from the packaging they came in and gently wipe with paper towels to dry them. Then place them on a plate (or in a bowl) and season both sides with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Set aside.

Step 4

Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the seasoned salmon fillets skin side down. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, then turn over the fillets using a fish spatula and cook the flesh side for another 3 minutes. Use tongs or the fish spatula to turn and crisp up the sides of the fillets – about 15-20 seconds for each side. Once the salmon fillets have cooked through, transfer the fillets to a clean plate and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes. Then flake the flesh with a fork and set aside. (Note: Keeping the skin on is up to you and a matter of personal preference. I prefer to discard the skin and just use salmon fillet flesh for this fried rice.)

Step 5

In a large wok, heat the peanut oil, and the remaining sesame oil and chili oil (if using) over high heat. Once smoking, turn the heat down to medium-high and add the onion and spring onion whites. Stir-fry for a minute until translucent, then add the carrots and carrot celery and continue stir-frying for another minute. Add the garlic, ginger, and red chilies and stir-fry until fragrant – about 1-2 minutes.

Step 6

Push the veggies and aromatics to the side and add a bit of oil into the wok. Pour in the beaten eggs and allow to set for a few seconds. Then scramble the eggs with your spatula and toss to combine with everything else in the wok. Season with freshly cracked black pepper, kosher salt, white pepper, crushed red pepper chili flakes (if using), and sugar and stir-fry to combine.

Step 7

Add the rice into the wok and pour the sauce all over it. Continue stir-frying for 3-4 minutes to combine, breaking up the clumps of rice as you go with your spatula. Then add the flaked salmon and toss for another minute or two, or until heated through. Taste and season with additional sugar, salt, or pepper if needed. Then switch off the heat and stir in most of the spring onion greens until combined.

Step 8

Transfer the Garlic Salmon Fried Rice to a serving dish (or bowls). Drizzle a little sesame oil on top if desired and garnish with the remainder spring onion greens. Serve immediately (or cool quickly and store in airtight sealed containers in the fridge for 3-4 days).