Honey-Orange Soy Glazed Salmon with Bok Choy & Mushrooms is sweet, salty, and rich in that addicting umami way. The hint of orange laced throughout keeps this dish bright and fresh-feeling.
I was asked by a local San Diego brewery, Bitter Brothers Brewery, to create a dish to pair with a particular beer. That alone is exciting, but when I heard that the beer they had in mind was their session IPA, Only Child, I was ecstatic. IPAs are my FAVORITE! I really love the session because they’re a little lower in alcohol and the flavors tend to shine more (IMHO).
The Only Child is brewed with Cascade hops, which tend to have a bright floral character and citrus qualities. It’s not a crazy-bitter IPA, but you do get a little punch that balances the citrus. I immediately knew I needed to do something with citrus, and something with enough of flavor to stand up to the hops.
The glaze on this salmon includes honey and orange, which is perfect for the light bitterness of the hops. The IPA contrasts the sweet glaze and cuts through the deliciously fatty salmon.
If you’re into heat (and I am), add some red pepper flakes to this! Crisp IPAs are great with spicy food. I added mine after the fact, as Vegas doesn’t do the heat.
Speaking of Vegas… she doesn’t like fish. Seriously. She’ll eat shellfish, but if I present a piece of swordfish, sea bass… salmon… for dinner, I can almost see her planning the grilled cheese she’s going to make later. In fact, while this baked she was complaining about the smell. I thought it smelled luscious.
However, once she ate it her tune changed. After the first bite of her dinner and I got a “this is really good!” I don’t *think* it was just the beer talking… 😉
The effect that the marinade has on the salmon is huge. After a quick stint under the broiler, it comes out deeply flavored, moist (that’s right – I said it), and tender. There’s not much more you can do piece salmon to make it better.
[tasty-recipe id=”18136″]
I received a (very tasty) growler of beer from Bitter Brothers Brewery for this post. No monetary compensation was exchanged.
[Tweet “This Honey-Orange Soy Glazed Salmon with Bok Choy & Mushrooms is the perfect pairing for an IPA!”]
***
This may be the best salmon I’ve ever made. No joke.
Are you an IPA fan? It’s a San Diego staple.
What’s your favorite fish? Mine is a tie between salmon and sea bass.
I am soooooo the Vegas in my relationship. How does she feel about IPAs?
They’re her favorite! I think she’d rather have an IPA than Italian food.
I don’t know what I am more impressed with, the photos or the recipe. I applaud you and you should be proud. Evie should be proud too!
No IPA’s here. Ugh, damn gluten.
Awwww… thank you!!! That’s huge coming from you, brother. XOXO
I am kind of obsessed with bok choy lately! It is great with a little honey and oj. The rest of my family loves salmon I will have to try this on them
For sure! Add a little soy sauce and it’s the sweet and salty addiction. 🙂
I love how easy this is to make, also I love when the sweetness of salmon is brought out through caramelisation…. You had me at well-caramelised 🙂
Caramelized is my buzz word if I see it on menus!
Look at that perfect salmon skin. I might not eat fish, but even I know a job well done when I see it.
Also, yes to IPAs.
I shall take that as a compliment coming from you. 😉
This sounds like such an amazing blend of flavors! *-* Can’t wait to try it out!