Salmon Fish Lovers across the Seven Seas

This post is contributed through Salmon Fish Lovers- friends across the Seven Seas. I thank them for sharing their meals, stories, foodie conversations and inspiration over many years. My aunt Aparna who lives in Stockholm, my friend Monami from Singapore and another friend Souvik who now lives in Zurich. Monami and Souvik are my friends from college days who I have been in touch with on and off over 25 years or more.

Salmon Fish Lovers Query

Are you fishing in Yemen? Lol- no I am not. To rephrase the question-Why Salmon?

Well, it’s a tasty and healthy fish known for its excellent Omega-3 fatty acids which I sometimes supplement with fish liver oil. It used to feature regularly in our meal plans when I worked and lived in Singapore with my husband.

Nowadays it’s rare for me- I eat a lot of fish but mostly local river fish or sea fish.

Salmon Fish Lovers a date from Scandinavia

When my husband and I visited Sweden on our honeymoon trip, my aunt shared her favorite recipe of tandoori salmon. I loved it and have made it many times over the years with good reviews and feedback.

There’s a recipe below for the benefit of those who wish to try it. I’m sure she won’t mind my sharing it in the memory of that wonderful meal.

My husband and I used to love the chicken wings and meatballs in Ikea in Singapore and would often make trips. These were for household chores when we first started creating our little household together.

Sometimes those trips were an excuse of a simple walking date to relive a happy memory or two of building a small nest together. Something that I left behind- much like Twitter left behind its logo to become X.

Is it that simple- a changeover of humans and relationships compared to objects or material possessions. I think not.

But that’s why I mention the importance of giving a little thought and pause to take care of self when you feel a bit overwhelmed. I have to really let go of a lot from my wardrobe. I rarely wear some things which are no longer of use to me.

Salmon Fish Lovers- Miss Marple finds Monami

Monami has a taste for the finer things in life and has worked hard to preserve her natural beauty and talent over the years. An excellent singer too – I remember many evenings spent in her company listening to her sing. Especially remember her diary of old Hindi and Bengali songs which she has kept close to her heart over the years.

Life has taken her across many countries, workplaces and relationships- both personal and professional. What I admire about her is her never-say-die spirit that helps her to keep smiling through many challenges in life. She is now going through her own journey of trying to stay healthy, fit and fine in her 40s while juggling multiple other demands on her time.

I celebrate life and love of fish through this little anecdote of how as kids we are sometimes a little naughty. It’s ok to be so- I believe that is the root of a lot of creativity and fun.

Simple joy of exploring what is in the fridge, in the market and in our collective memories of how to make a good memorable meal. Music always helps. Replicating below her words and a little exchange.

Me: Do u remember when you had salmon for the first time?

Monami: hahaha. no idea…but has to be in London. all my new food is there

Me: Ok. I’ll write something. Must have been 22 years ago?

Monami: 20 years. tar agey khaini for sure (translate: I hadn’t eaten before that for sure)

Random conversation snippets. (An inspiration for some more exploration for those visiting Big Ben, Queen’s English or London. For precision lovers extra unnecessary details-Date and IST: 10.09.24, 4.44)

Salmon Fish Lover Monami’s Dishy Wish

During busy days staying healthy and eating healthy doesn’t have to be a challenge if we have some secret recipes. This one is self-created and after getting some good reviews from my Guinea pigs, I feel confident to share.

Always less than 20minutes in the kitchen and I feel satisfied with the end result. Clean and simple. #healthyeating.

And Souvik’s Choice Too!

Souvik is another kindred spirit- a foodie who has had his own share of ups and downs. I have not had the opportunity to interact with him closely but appreciated his emails and checking in once in a while every few years.

He is a foodie who loves to cook, loves music (plays the piano). He also likes his me-time taking care of his own health and fitness. I met him recently in Bengaluru when he travelled over after many years. It was eye opening for him how much the city had changed since he lived here as a first jobber many years ago.

I could relate to his wonder on the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of the city which were revealed through a quick 2–3-day trip filled with a lot of sweet nostalgia. I lost a cup from a pair that he had gifted in transit. C’est la vie, as they say.

What’s 1 cup when you have lost so many in between taking care of kids and adults. (Losing a human is a different thing. Or so I think. Do correct me if I am wrong. And losing an entire family….wow!)

Things have changed- that’s what he took back and that’s what remains as the essential truth. So many experiences in life are actually very similar and relatable even across different places and spaces.

I share a third option for salmon lovers- a recipe I tried with good results (tested with him and my nephew). I trust some of you may like the mustard coconutty flavors in this one for a special festive occasion. Perhaps it was partly inspired by my visit to Fort Kochi.

Footnote- 3 Ways or Multiple Ways

As some of you know- easy quick cooking is the need of the day. So, a few kitchen appliances and gadgets help. Which reminds me, I have to shift my address in the gas agency card and pay the electricity bill. Oops! I forgot.

Shifting of gas agencies and getting a cylinder through online booking is usually a pain. I narrate from personal experience. I think it is still something that requires you to be there personally to have the desired empathy.

An alternative is to get piped gas- which my current apartment does not have. A bit of an investment but perhaps my landlord may agree if I ask nicely (?). There’s a lot that still needs to be done. But sometimes you take a breather to make time for a few friends and an ice-cream date.

Note: For those who don’t like salmon or people like me who can’t afford it every day- other boneless fish like basa, bhetki (seabass), dory or tilapia fillets can also be used at times.

Happy Sunday. Happy Cooking!

Salmon Fish Lovers- 3 Secret Recipes

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Serves: 1-2 Prep Time: 2-5 Min Cooking Time: 17 Min

Ingredients

• Recipe 1- Tandoori Salmon in Oven
• Salmon Fillet-250g
• ½ lemon juice
• Coriander powder- ½ tsp
• Cumin powder- ½ tsp
• Garlic paste- ½ tsp
• Ginger paste- ½ tsp
• Tandoori Chicken masala- 1 TBSP
• Garam masala- ½ tsp
• Yoghurt – 1-2 TBSP
• (Or Tomato paste- 1TBSP
• Or Mustard Sauce- 1TBSP)
• Recipe 2- Easy Baked Salmon in Airfryer
• Salmon - 250 gms
• half garlic
• 1 tomato/ few cherry tomatoes
• lemon juice - half tea spoon
• black pepper - to taste
• Mixed herbs
• Sweet Paprika/Cayenne Pepper
• salt - to taste
• Olive Oil - 1 tbsp
• Avocado/Olive Oil Spray for Airfryer
• 1 square sheet of aluminium foil
• Recipe 3- Baked Coconut Mustard Salmon in Microwave
• Salmon - 250 gms
• 1tbsp yellow mustard seeds
• 1 tbsp black mustard seeds
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds
• 2 tbsp grated coconut
• 1 green chilli
• lemon juice - half tea spoon
• salt - to taste
• turmeric- 1/2 tsp
• A few green chillies - optional
• Banana leaf (for wrapping the fish- optional)
• Mustard Oil - 1 tbsp

Instructions

Recipe 1: Tandoori Salmon in Oven

• Clean Salmon and cut into 2 pieces
• Make a marinade paste of the rest of the ingredients- spices and mix well
• Coat the salmon with the marinade
• Bake for 12-15mins at 180C until translucent pink turns to opaque

Recipe 2: Easy Baked Salmon in Air fryer

• Clean Salmon and cut into 2 pieces
• Make a marinade paste of the rest of the ingredients- spices and mix well
• Coat the salmon with the marinade and put on a square sheet of aluminium foil
• Place the garlic cloves, cut tomato and cherry tomatoes around.
• Add a squeeze of lemon and spray of avocado/olive oil on top
• Bake for 17Min in Airfyer at 175C

Recipe 3- Baked Coconut Mustard Salmon in Microwave

• Clean Salmon and cut into 2 pieces
• Make a marinade paste of the rest of the ingredients. I used a spice blender/mixer for this.
• Coat the salmon with the marinade and wrap in banana leaves (optional). Sprinkle a few green chillies on top (optional)
• Bake for 15 Min in Microwave proof dish at Medium setting

Salmon Fish Lovers across the Seven Seas was last modified: September 15th, 2024 by Melting Lemon Drop

Notes

Recipe 1 and Recipe 3 have a bit of sauce/gravy and go well with your choice of carbs-rice/quinoa/couscous/millets. Recipe 2 may be consumed on its own or with a salad.