Pan-Seared Salmon Black Rice and Tangerine-Cucumber-Chestnut Salad

This dish offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures. With its crispy, golden crust, the pan-seared salmon pairs beautifully with nutty, chewy black rice. A refreshing salad of fresh greens, juicy tangerines, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet chestnuts completes the plate, making it a restaurant-quality meal you can easily prepare at home.

The pan-seared salmon is the star, cooked to perfection with a crispy exterior while remaining tender and juicy inside. Its perfect partner is black rice, known for its nutty flavor and deep, rich color. This ancient grain, often called ‘forbidden rice,’ was once reserved for Chinese emperors. Its striking hue comes from anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants found in purple and blue foods. Black rice adds visual contrast to the dish and provides fiber and essential minerals, making it a nutritious addition to your meal.

The salad brings a burst of color and flavor to the dish. A base of crisp baby spinach and peppery arugula offers a fresh and slightly spicy backdrop. Juicy tangerine wedges add a touch of sweetness, while cool cucumber slices provide a hydrating crunch. Sweet Italian chestnuts contribute a nutty richness, and peppery radishes add a hint of spice. This vibrant medley is dressed simply with olive oil, lime or lemon juice, and fresh dill, enhancing the natural sweetness and crunch of the salad.

You can confidently create this delicious, nutrient-packed meal with just 20 minutes of preparation and 40 minutes of cooking. It showcases wholesome ingredients, making it both a healthy choice and a gourmet experience. Perfect for sharing with guests or treating yourself to a special dinner, this dish combines the best of home cooking with restaurant-quality flair.

Pan-Seared Salmon Black Rice and Tangerine-Cucumber-Chestnut Salad

This dish, featuring the richness of pan-seared salmon, the unique chewiness of black rice, and the refreshing crunch of a colorful salad, is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. It's a perfect choice for a special dinner or a healthy weeknight treat.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean inspired

Servings 2 people

Ingredients

  

• SALMON and RICE:
• 1 tbsp organic olive oil
• 2 6 oz fresh salmon fillets
• Salt and ground pepper to taste
• 1 cup black rice (e.g., SEGGIANO Organic NERO Black Rice)
• 1 tbsp butter (optional)
• 1/2 cop roasted white sesame seeds (optional)
• SALAD:
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach and/or arugula
• 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 cup peeled, cooked chestnuts (e.g., TruStar organic Italian chestnuts, peeled and ready to eat)

• 3 seedless California tangerines, peeled and divided into wedges
• 3 red radishes, thinly sliced
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp organic olive oil
• 1 tbsp lime or lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Fresh ground black pepper
• 3 Strawberries for serving (optional)

Instructions

 

• Gather and prepare all ingredients as listed.
  
• Cook the Rice:
In a pot, cook the rice in 2 to 3 cups of lightly salted water. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat. Simmer for 35-40 minutes, adding more water if necessary. Once cooked, cover and set aside.
• Make the Salad:
Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
  
• Add chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Toss gently and let rest for 10 minutes before serving, or refrigerate for up to a few hours.
  
• Prepare the Salmon:
Remove any visible bones from the salmon fillets with tweezers. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper.
  
• Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Cook the salmon, skin side up, for about 4 to 5 minutes without moving to ensure a crispy, golden crust. Flip and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes until done to your liking.
  
• Serve:
 Add sesame seeds to the cooked rice and stir gently. Serve the salmon fillets alongside the black rice. As preferred, you can serve the salad on the same plate or in separate bowls.
  

Notes

I use Seggiano Organic NERO Black Rice. It is a wholegrain variety with a nutty flavor and chewy texture. Its deep color is due to anthocyanins, which provide health benefits and are typically missing from the average diet. Unlike white rice, black rice is unrefined, retaining its fiber-rich bran and germ.
As always, fresh and organic ingredients are recommended for optimum results.

Keyword Black Rice, crispy salmon, gourmet dinner, Healthy Recipe, Nutritious Meal, Pan-Seared Salmon, Tangerine-Cucumber-Chestnut Salad