Red Chili Rubbed Salmon
4

Serves 6

From The Whole Foods Market Cookbook, this salmon is as impressive in presentation as it is delicious. Made with dried red chile peppers, the red chile paste imparts a deep burgundy color and a chocolate-like, mildly spicy flavor while the brown sugar creates a sweet, caramelized topping.

View user submitted photos
    Ingredients: 
    • 3 large dried red chiles
    • 1 1/2 cup light brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 (3-pound) salmon fillet, cut into 6 pieces
    • 2 limes, thinly sliced
    • 1 tablespoon canola oil
    • Cilantro sprigs
    You must be signed in to use shopping lists. Sign in or create account
    Cancel
    Method: 

    Soak the chile peppers in enough warm water to cover them for 30 minutes, until soft. When the chiles are soft, remove and discard the stems and seeds, then transfer to blender. (Reserve soaking liquid.) Add sugar, lime juice, garlic, oregano and salt and purée until you have a paste-like consistency. If the mixture is too thick, add a little of the chile soaking liquid, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

    Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange salmon fillets on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet skin side down, just touching, so they resemble a whole side of salmon. Spread the chile purée evenly over the tops of the salmon to completely cover each fillet.

    Lay lime slices down the center of the salmon in one straight line, then brush them with oil. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until salmon is golden brown and fully cooked through. Carefully remove the salmon fillets to a serving platter, recreating the original shape. Serve hot from the oven, at room temperature or chilled. Garnish with cilantro.

    Nutritional Info: 
    Per Serving:560 calories (150 from fat), 17g total fat, 2.5g saturated fat, 125mg cholesterol, 890mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (0g dietary fiber, 54g sugar), 45g protein
    Special Diets: 

    Note: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember — we're cooks, not doctors! You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information. See our Terms of Service.

    Recipe Discussion