Grilled Salmon with Homemade Masala (Spice Rub)

Salmon Steak Grilled with Quinoa/Zucchini Salad and Grilled Beans.

 Fresh Salmon is the most loved fish in my household which comes from both Atlantic and Pacific oceans :) When I first came to USA, I used to miss eating all the local fish from India (I miss it even now, but atleast it is available in few stores here) I could see only 2-3 fish variety in the market which I thought I could manage eating- Salmon, Tilapia and Catfish.

I fell in love with this pink fleshy wild salmon the moment I had it in a restaurant (don't recollect the restaurant name). It doesn't need lots of spices to enjoy its natural flavors. Our Indian spices would not suit on it either (is what I thought :)). So mostly I baked it and simply grilled it with butter/lemon/herbs. But the wicked Indianness in me of having spices in someway just wouldn't go away :)

Once I grilled Salmon with tandoori masala and it came out nice and tasted really good, so I kept repeating the recipe. Then my sister came visiting me and she came up with this recipe of applying coarse powdered mix of few spice ingredients along with ginger garlic and lemon juice! Bingo...it tasted so fantastic! So every once in a while, my kitchen sees this majestic Salmon fillets slathered in this homemade rub and grilled to perfection! You can enjoy it with a simple salad, quinoa, brown rice, wild rice or some grilled beans or asparagus.

You can also use this spice rub on other fish like bland Tilapia or Pompano to make it more interesting. Also goes well with king fish steaks. I have Grilled Salmon with Quinoa/Zucchini salad and Grilled Beans on the side on my display plate... Trust me it super Yummzzz and you will feel like you just brought the 5 star restaurant at your table :) <winks>

Let us take a look at this grilled Salmon with homemade masala( spice rub):

Ingredients:

• 2-3 big Salmon steaks (or fillets)
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds pwd
• 1/2 tsp coriander seeds pwd
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 1-2 tsp lemon juice
• salt to taste
• 1 green chili chopped (optional)

-For the coarse powder (spice rub)-

• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp ajwain (carrom seeds)
• pinch of fenugreek seeds (methi seeds)
• oil to grill/fry

Preparation:

• Clean the fillets and keep aside.
• In a blender, take the ingredients under coarse powder and make a coarse mixture.
• Take all other ingredients and slather it over the fillets. Keep aside for atleast an hour to marinate.
• Heat a grill pan on high heat and lower the flame to medium. Add 2 tbsp of oil. Place the fillets/steaks and add little oil over the fish. Let it cook for couple of minutes.
• Gently flip and let it cook till done. To test the doneness, prick a fork and nudge a little, you should see the flesh is flaky and done.
• Serve hot grilled Salmon with your choice of sides. 

njoY!! happY grillinG!!

You may also like:

Baked Salmon
Tandoori Salmon
Quinoa salad
Coastal Fish Fry
Goan Racheado Stuffed Fish

Health Benefits:


Eating salmon is beneficial in the treatment of osteoarthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions. This salmon-found protein also improves bone density and strength.
Eating salmon reduces risk of depression. Eating salmon regularly has been associated with reducing the risk and incidence of depression, hostility in young adults and cognitive decline in the elderly.
Eating salmon increases your cardiovascular health. It contains high levels of the omega-3 fats, EPA and DHA. When eaten two to three times per week, salmon can protect you from problems such as heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia, high blood pressure and high triglycerides.
Salmon helps build children’s brains. Feeding salmon to preschool children also aids in the prevention of ADHD and can even boost academic performance.
Salmon’s an excellent source of vitamin D. Salmon brings out the best in fresh greens. The proteins, B vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids in salmon complement the antioxidants and vitamin C in greens such as spinach and kale.

(source of health benefits: chatelaine.com)

Seekh Kebabs

Seekh Kebabs (Chicken)

Summer season calls for staying outdoors longer enjoying the sun and long days as we have hibernated enough inside the house in the cold winter days. That in turn, calls for more grilling in the yard! The squeals of kids playing outside, that light breeze blowing on your face, you gazing at the surroundings sitting in the yard or maybe just reading a nice book on a hammock while your husband is thoroughly enjoying grilling the meat or veggies that "you"(:)) have marinated hours before. It sure is a picture perfect moment.

Now who wants to open a beer bottle to go with this perfect moment and celebrate? haha.. Today let us indulge in some great tasting seekh kebabs. It is a lovely recipe, easy and mild flavors makes it a kid friendly 'meat slathered on the stick' appetizer.

Originally it is made with minced beef or mutton kheema, but I am using minced chicken in this recipe. Gets wiped off the plate in no time. In India, it is actually a street food. There are some really famous places where people line up to taste these yummy kebabs and every place has its own speciality.

Let us check the recipe here:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb minced chicken
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 2-3 green chillies chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 3 tbsp cilantro chopped
• 1 tsp garam masala (or meat masala)
• 1 tbsp thick yogurt
• 1 tbsp chaat masala
• 1tbsp lemon juice to sprinkle on kebabs
• 2 tbsp oil or butter for basting
• 1 tbsp gram flour (optional, if by chance your mixture is not dry enough)

Preparation:

• In a mixing bowl add all the ingredients except chaat masala, lemon juice and oil.
• Use your hands or a wooden spatula to mix the ingredients thoroughly till they are well blended.
• Cover the bowl with a cling wrap and put into the refrigerator for atleast 1 hour to marinate.
• Soak bamboo skewers in water for 20 minutes to prepare the kebabs.
• Remove from the fridge and divide the mixture into equal portions. Make a ball and stick the skewer in the center of the ball and slowly start pressing and stretching the meat on the stick till it looks like a long sausage like kebab. 
• Do this till the meat has firmly adhered to the skewer. Put some oil on your hands to prevent meat from sticking to them. Repeat it till all the kebab mix is used up.
• Grill the kebabs on a griller or using a grill pan. Cook few minutes on each side till it is nice and brown. Keep basting with cooking oil or butter as required, till the meat is done. Turn as often as required.
• Serve it piping hot with sliced onion rings, mint chutney, lemon juice and sprinkle chaat masala on the seekh kebabs! 

 It is a pleasure to see him chomp off the kebabs....:)

njoY!! happY cookinG- err grillinG!! :)

Health Benefits : Chicken is a very good source of protein and good energy booster, good for brain health, heart health, thyroid health and weight loss program. If you are looking to have good muscles, go for it! :) It also helps to reduce PMS symptoms. Important source of vitamins and minerals, where vitamin D and B needs a mention as it provides a good eyesight, muscles and helpful in building bones and metabolism. It is said to be helpful in controlling blood pressure issues. Intake of warm chicken soup also provides relief from common cold, including symptoms like a congested nose and a sore throat.