A rub of sea salt, chipotle chili powder, and fresh ground cumin and coriander enhances the flavor of fresh salmon without overwhelming it. These salmon tacos are served alongside two simple sides: fennel and red cabbage slaw and an easy cilantro-avocado blender sauce.
If you're in a hurry, skip the other ingredients and make the slaw with just shredded cabbage, lime juice, and sea salt. The other ingredients lend complexity and punch, but aren't required. And feel free to riff, too; shredded carrots, radishes, and all kinds of onions would be great additions if you need to clean out the fridge. The slaw keeps well for days – don't be afraid to make extra.
- 2 teaspoons cumin seed
- 2 teaspoons coriander seed
- 2 pounds 1 - 2-inch thick salmon fillet, with skin
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (use up to 4 teaspoons for spicier salmon)
- 1 - 2 tablespoons avocado oil, or other neutral, heat-tolerant oil
- 1/2 head red cabbage, cored and sliced thin
- 1 medium bulb fennel, greens trimmed, cored, and sliced paper thin (either with a knife or mandoline)
- 3 green onions, trimmed and cut into thin, 2-inch long strips
- 1/4 cup minced cilantro
- 1/4 cup lime juice, from 1 - 2 limes
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- 2 avocados, pitted and peeled
- 3/4 bunch cilantro, stems and all, chopped
- 2 green onions, trimmed and chopped
- 1/4 cup lime juice, from 1 - 2 limes
- 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- 8 corn tortillas, warmed in a skillet
- 1 lime, sliced
- remaining cilantro, minced
- radishes, sliced paper thin and tossed with sea salt and a squeeze of lime
-
Toss to combine the cabbage, fennel, and green onions. Add sea salt, and massage ingredients with your fingers. Drizzle with lime juice, and toss. Set aside for 30 minutes. Before serving, add sea salt to taste.
-
Set cilantro in a blender and pulse to reduce slightly. Add avocado, green onions, lime juice, vinegar, and sea salt, pulse several times, and then process until smooth. Spoon into a bowl.
-
Leftover sauce will keep well sealed in the fridge for 2 days. To prevent browning, place a sheet of plastic wrap right on the top of the sauce and cover with lid as usual.
-
Grind the cumin and coriander seed with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.
-
Remove salmon from the fridge, rinse, and pat dry. With a sharp chef's knife, cut salmon fillet(s) across the grain into 3-inch thick segments.
-
Set on a tray or plate, and sprinkle with sea salt and chili powder. Next, sprinkle with ground spices and press gently into the flesh. Add just enough to cover the surface (any more and it will burn while it cooks). Set salmon aside for about 30 minutes while it comes to room temperature.
-
Set large a cast iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, and when hot, add salmon, skin side down. Nudge it with a spatula a couple time to keep skin from sticking, then cook undisturbed for 4 minutes. Carefully, flip, and cook 2 - 3 minutes longer, or until the flesh is just cooked through and an instant read thermometer reads 120 degrees F. Set on a platter and rest 10 minutes. Using a sharp knife and fork, cut and tear salmon and its skin into bite-sized hunks.
-
Serve salmon with warm tortillas, red cabbage slaw, cilantro-avocado sauce, radishes, minced cilantro, and lime wedges.