Savor the Sea: Salmon in Tomato Sauce Recipe
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Friends and family will think you cooked for hours when you serve up this healthy salmon dinner. It has just a few ingredients and a short list of prep steps but looks like it took all day.
Don’t you just love recipes that are quick and easy to make but taste satiating? This recipe is one such great example. Adapted from my Moroccan dish Chraime, this one is made with salmon.
Why make this fish
- This easy-to-make dish makes the perfect quick meal. The real trick is the fabulous tomato sauce that you can use with any fish.
- And, the best part is that it gets done in less than 30 minutes.
- You can serve it with rice or other starch. But my favorite is a nice crispy bread like baguette or ciabatta to soak up all those juices.
- This beautifully flavored with sweet crushed tomatoes and sweet smoked paprika, with a hint of smoky cumin and hot paprika. So it perfectly balance the sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors.
- And most of the ingredients in this recipe are simple pantry staples or easy to find.
- Also, leftovers will keep well in an airtight container for a week at least.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Fish – Today, I am using salmon but almost any fish fillets will work with this recipe.
- Tomatoes – Of course, I love using fresh chopped tomatoes. And yet, canned crushed tomatoes (14 oz) work great too.
- Tomato paste – Not too much and yet it adds a lovely tangy taste, rich color, and thickness to the sauce.
- Paprika – Here I am using sweet smoked and hot, but again you can change it to suit your preference. You can add more of either. Personally, I love a little cayenne.
- Sugar – We caramelize a little sugar. This adds a light sweetness but mostly helps deepen the color of the sauce.
- Onion and garlic – We use fresh garlic and onions for their fresh flavor. Make sure to cook the onions until they are slightly caramelized.
Salmon in Tomato Sauce
- Saute – In a large skillet, over medium heat, add the olive oil and garlic. Cook for 30 seconds. Then, add the onions and saute until lightly caramelized about 3 to 4 minutes.
Pro tip – Adding a slight caramelization to the onions will enhance the flavor of this dish. - Spices – Next, add the bay leaves, spices, chopped tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir and saute for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Simmer – Cover the pot and let simmer for 10 minutes. Then, mash the softened tomatoes with a vegetable masher. Add the broth/stock and simmer for 5 minutes more.
Pro tip – Mashing the tomatoes will make a smooth sauce that will be soaked into the fish beautifully.
- Fish – Add the broth/stock and combine well. Then, gently place the fish pieces in the tomato sauce making sure to tuck them into the sauce.
- Simmer – Cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes. Flip the fish and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle some cilantro or parsley. Cover the pan and cook another 5 to 8 minutes until the fish is ready.
- Garnish – When done, taste and adjust the seasoning. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.
- Enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Choose a fleshly fish with fewer bones, like salmon, so you can enjoy this dish.
- I am using fresh tomatoes because I get beautiful fresh tomatoes in my market. But, feel free to use a 14 oz can of crushed tomatoes as well.
- Don’t make haste, give the ingredients time to saute, sweat, and simmer. The dish may take a few minutes more but the flavor will be delicious.
- This is one of those dishes that taste better the next day. So, feel free to add this to your make-ahead dishes rotation.
- Ideally, this is a meal on its own with just a side of bread and garden salad. But, we love to serve a side of sauteed fresh veggies such as broccoli, green beans, or mushrooms.
How long will this salmon recipe keep?
Leftovers from this salmon will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can even freeze it in the freezer for up to a month.
What side dish works best with fish?
We love to serve a side dish with sauteed veggies like sauteed broccoli, green beans, and mushrooms. Some veggies fritters or patties work great too. Try my Swiss chard and parsnip or Spinach potato patties.
Salmon in Tomato Sauce
Print Pin Rate Share by Email Share on FB Save GrowCalories: 200kcal
Adjust Servings Here: 8 servings
Description
Friends and family will think you cooked for hours when you serve up this healthy salmon dinner. It has just a few ingredients and a short list of prep steps but looks like it took all day.
Video
Ingredients
- 2 lb (500 g) Salmon fillets (skinless)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 4 large Garlic cloves (finely chopped)
- 1 med Onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cups (450 g) Fresh tomatoes (finely chopped )
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 2 tbsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Hot paprika
- 1 tsp Cumin powder ((I used 1 tsp) )
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 cup (240 ml) Broth (or stock)
- ¼ cup Fresh Cilantro or parsley (Chopped)
Instructions
- Saute – In a large skillet, over medium heat, add the olive oil and garlic. Cook for 30 seconds. Then, add the onions and saute until lightly caramelized about 3 to 4 minutes. Pro tip – Adding a slight caramelization to the onions will enhance the flavor of this dish.2 tbsp Olive oil, 4 large Garlic cloves, 1 med Onion
- Spices – Add the bay leaves, spices, chopped tomatoes, and tomato paste. Saute for another 2 minutes until fragrant.2 cups Fresh tomatoes, 2 tbsp Tomato paste, 2 tbsp Smoked paprika, 1 tsp Hot paprika, 1 tsp Cumin powder
- Simmer – Cover the pot and let simmer for 10 minutes. Then, mash the softened tomatoes with a vegetable masher. Add the broth/stock and simmer for 5 minutes more. Pro tip – Mashing the tomatoes will make a smooth sauce that will be soaked into the fish beautifully.2 lb Salmon fillets
- Fish – Add the stock/broth and combine well. Then, gently place the fish pieces in the tomato sauce making sure to tuck them into the sauce.1 cup Broth
- Simmer – Cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes. Flip the fish and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle some cilantro or parsley. Cover the pan and cook another 5 to 8 minutes until the fish is ready.1 tsp Kosher salt, 1 tsp Black pepper
- Garnish – When done, taste and adjust the seasoning. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.¼ cup Fresh Cilantro or parsley
- Enjoy!
Recipe Notes & Tips
- Choose a fleshly fish with fewer bones like salmon so you can enjoy this dish.
- I am using fresh tomatoes because I get beautiful fresh tomatoes in my market but feel free to use a 14 oz can of crushed tomatoes as well.
- Don’t make haste, give the ingredients time to saute, sweat, and simmer. The dish may take a few minutes more but the flavor will be delicious.
- This is one of those dishes that taste better the next day so feel free to add this to your make-ahead dishes rotation.
- Ideally, this is a meal on its own with just a side of bread and garden salad. But, we love to serve a side of sauteed fresh veggies such as broccoli, green beans, or mushrooms.
Conversions Used
1 lb = 453 grams, 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 stick = 113g, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp= 5 ml,
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Salmon in Tomato Sauce
Amount per Serving
Calories
200
% Daily Value*
Fat
8
g
12
%
Saturated Fat
1
g
5
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
3
g
Cholesterol
62
mg
21
%
Sodium
555
mg
23
%
Potassium
839
mg
24
%
Carbohydrates
7
g
2
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
3
g
3
%
Protein
24
g
48
%
Vitamin A
1831
IU
37
%
Vitamin C
13
mg
16
%
Calcium
45
mg
5
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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We keep a Kosher diet and don’t add meat based broth to a fish dish. What would you suggest as a substitute?
(Not Kosher law, but Kosher custom)
Moishe – you can use vegetable broth or stock!