Cumin

Za'atar Scented Salmon and Eggplant

by:
May 12, 2010
4.5
4 Ratings
  • Serves 2
Author Notes

I can't post this recipe without first coming clean. . . I've never been a salmon fan. Sure, I like nova on a bagel but I'm jewish and that comes with the territory. However, my husband loves salmon and is always nagging me to cook it. I've always refused until tonight. I was browsing at the market when I spied a beautiful piece of wild salmon and thought why not. I had been planning to make a Middle Eastern inspired eggplant spread so I threw the salmon in the mix. It turned out pretty tasty and that's saying a lot for a (former) salmon hater. - melissav —melissav

Test Kitchen Notes

This dish combines the flavor of a meaty fish with its usual sidekick, lemon, and then adds zest with zaatar. Cumin is the surprise and it really works. I think fresh zaatar is key to making the flavors stand out from the salmon. (I used a green and untoasted Jordanian zaatar blend) and the addition of a dairy (I used sour cream instead of creme fraiche) provides contrast to the earthy spice mix. I loved the roasted eggplant but kept them as slices just to keep some texture along with the salmon. - NakedBeet
—The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Salmon
  • 2/3-3/4 pounds wild salmon filet, with skin on
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon za'atar + 1/2 teaspoon, divided
  • 2 tablespoons creme fraiche (or greek yogurt if you feel like behaving)
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • olive oil
  • Eggplant
  • 1.5 pounds eggplant (I used 3 small japanese eggplants and 1 small white eggplant but you can use any combo)
  • 3 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon walnut oil
  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, good quality
  • 2 small (or 1 large) garlic close, minced
  • 1 teaspoon za'atar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon mint, chopped
  • 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons feta, crumbled
Directions
  1. Salmon
  2. Mix 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp za'atar.
  3. Dry the salmon and rub both the skin and non-skin side with the spice mixture. Put on a small plate skin side up. Place in fridge while you prepare the eggplant (see below).
  4. Mix the creme fraiche with the remaining 1/2 tsp za'atar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
  5. Once the eggplant is done roasting, remove the fish from the fridge and set aside.
  6. Once the eggplant is complete, heat a nonstick skillet over medium high heat and add a splash of olive oil. Heat for another minute.
  7. Sear the fish skin side down for four minutes. Turn over and sear for another 1-2 minutes until cooked to your liking. I like it medium rare.
  8. Serve as directed below in the eggplant recipe, step 11
  1. Eggplant
  2. Place the eggplant on a cookie sheet and broil under high heat until the skin is very charred, turning from time to time. When charred and eggplant is soft, remove from oven and set aside to cool
  3. When cool, remove the skin and any large pockets of seeds and place the flesh in a bowl of water with the lemon peels (leftover from squeezing the juice) for a few minutes. Remove from the water, squeeze out the water. Remove the water from the bowl and return the flesh to the empty bowl. This step helps keeps the flesh from turning too brown.
  4. Mash the eggplant flesh with lemon juice, both oils, garlic, za'atar, cumin, parsley, mint, 3 TB of the walnuts, and salt to taste. Set aside and cook the fish.
  5. Once the fish is cooked, place a scoop of eggplant on each plate, sprinkle with half of the feta and top with the salmon. Top with a spoonful of the creme fraiche and sprinkle with the remaining walnuts and feta.
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • DaniMama
    DaniMama
  • NakedBeet
    NakedBeet
  • melissav
    melissav
  • Hilla
    Hilla

6 Reviews

Hilla March 6, 2015
Love the rub and the greek yogurt sauce...have made it several times...thanks! Easy and tasty. (I do decrease the salt a bit.)
 
the M. May 18, 2012
What is zaatar and where do I get it?
The Mama
 
DaniMama October 11, 2011
Made this, but omitted the dairy and nuts...will DEFINITELY make it again! It was very easy to make! Also, I oven baked the salmon and broiled it for the last couple minutes to give it that beautiful golden brown on top--I will always use this rub for my salmon! Thanks!
 
melissav October 12, 2011
Thanks DaniMama. Glad you enjoyed it and you reminded me about this dish. I haven't made it in a while.
 
NakedBeet May 28, 2010
I'm glad I got to try it, thank you!
 
melissav May 27, 2010
Naked Beet - Thanks for the review. So glad you enjoyed the recipe!