Sesame-Crusted Salmon

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Cornstarch, egg white and sesame seeds form a crackling crust on these salmon fillets. The flavor of the toasted sesame seeds is complemented by the Asian-flavored sauce surrounding the fish, but don't serve the sauce over the fish or you'll lose the crunch. Slideshows:  Quick Fish Recipes 

Sesame-Crusted Salmon
Photo: © Lauren Volo
Yield:
4

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons dry sherry

  • 1/2 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock

  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch

  • 3 tablespoons water

  • 1 egg white

  • 2 pounds center-cut salmon fillet, cut into 4 pieces

  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds

  • 1/4 cup cooking oil

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sherry, chicken broth, sugar, ginger, and garlic. In another small bowl, stir together the 2 teaspoons cornstarch and the water.

  2. Whisk together the egg white and the 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Brush the skinless side of the salmon with the egg-white mixture and then dip it into the sesame seeds to coat.

  3. In a large nonstick frying pan, heat the oil over moderately high heat. Put the salmon in the pan, sesame-seed side down, and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Turn and cook until just done, about 3 minutes longer for a 1-inch-thick fillet. Remove.

  4. Pour any oil from the pan. Add the soy-sauce mixture. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring. Whisk in the cornstarch-and-water mixture and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute longer. Serve the salmon with the sauce poured around it.

Notes

Fish Alternatives Tuna steaks would be perfect with the sesame-seed crust and the sauce. You can also use salmon steaks instead of fillets.

Suggested Pairing

Salmon is generally best with a light red or a substantial white. Pinot Noir is the usual red suggested. With the Asian ingredients here, a white such as a Pinot Gris from Oregon or Alsace in France will make a delicious pairing.

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