Salmon Tartare - As Fresh As It Gets and Another Reason to Pop Open Some Chilled Bubbly

| July 17, 2011 | 7 Comments

I can’t remember my first encounter with tartare—finely chopped raw beef served with onion, capers, chopped parsley on the side, and a raw egg yolk resting in a slight indentation in the beef. Even though I don’t remember the time or place, I’m sure I embarked on the experience slowly, with apprehension.

Today I can look back on many pleasurable servings of raw beef, elk, tuna and salmon. And when talking of raw foods, we must include sushi/sashimi, which is practically a food religion. Perhaps the most interesting serving of raw beef I have been served was a carpaccio at Lidia Bastianich’s Becco in New York City’s theater district.  This platter arrived with ultra-thin rounds (pounded, I’m sure) of beautifully marbled beef which had been anointed with hot olive oil. Simple, classy and tasty.

Unless you’re able to create new recipes like Mozart wrote his music, you will search about for similar creations to compare with your ideas or to give you inspiration. Put me there!

While I was assembling my list of supporting ingredients, I had a liberating epiphany. Kick your fear in its hiney and then, while staring at your beautiful raw salmon, see what flavors you imagine mingling with your chopped fish. Something Asian - wasabi and toasted sesame oil. Something with a kick - finely minced jalapeños. Something fresh - scallions. Something familiar - olive oil. Something with a citrus bite - lime zest. Something unusual - alder wood-smoked salt. Voila! Salmon Tartare according to Charles.

Chinook Salmon Tartare

Salmon Tartare

Ingredients:

  1. ½ pound (225 gr.) fresh, sushi-grade, line-caught salmon, skinned and any pin bones removed*
  2. 2 tablespoons (30 ml.) extra virgin olive oil
  3. 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) toasted (Asian) sesame oil
  4. 3 tablespoons (45 ml.) finely chopped scallions, white and green parts
  5. 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) finely minced jalapeño
  6. 2 teaspoons (10 ml.) Inglehoffer Wasabi**
  7. 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) lime zest
  8. 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) alder wood-smoked salt (grind if in large chunks)***
  9. Scant ¼ teaspoon (<1.25 ml.) freshly ground white pepper

* Fresh is a must, and wild is better than farmed for this.

**Inglehoffer comes from Beaver Foods in Beaverton, Oregon. It should be distributed nationwide.

*** Use sea salt if you can’t find this.

Method:

  • Finely chop the salmon - I sliced, then julienned, then cut the julienne strips into small cubes.
  • Mix together with remaining ingredients, chill and serve with crackers and a well chilled sparkling wine.

Vic and I have become partial to Soter Vineyards Brut Rosé. If you find it and have a healthy pocketbook, buy it. This appetizer would be equally enjoyable with Prosecco, Cava or even Mateus from Portugal, which is shown in the photo. Pictured is our last bottle of Soter, which is destined for somebody’s birthday.

Bon appétit!

— Charles

Tags:

Category: Appetizers

About the Author (Author Profile)

Music, food and photography are at the center of Charles’ life. He performed with the Dallas Symphony, Dallas Opera and was assistant principal bassoonist with the Fort Worth Symphony for more than 20 years. When Charles and Victor moved to Baltimore, Charles created Lone Star Personal Chef and Catering Service and taught cooking classes at Williams-Sonoma. Now in Salem, Charles is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Mountain West Real Estate, taught cooking classes for children at the A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village, and owns and operates Charles Price Photography. Charles and Vic enjoy entertaining and frequently host dinners as fundraisers for local non-profits and charities

Comments (7)

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  1. Ok, the wood smoked salt, and that moist salmon — I want to eat the picture, truly. I love the seasoning in this and a great idea with bubbly. Nice to have you with our Lets Lunch Bunch. I’m just catching up from a hectic week and I’m loving your blog. {{{Clink}}}}

  2. Hey Charles! Found your site via the “A Tiger in the Kitchen” Blog. Man, does this tartare look good! We have been getting some fresh Sockeye in our local grocery of late (Central Florida), could we make your recipe with that?

  3. Charles says:

    Thanks Kevin - If your Sockeye is sushi grade fresh - go for it! This would be great with tuna as well. Enjoy!

  4. Yeah, not sure if it’s sushi grade. Guess my grocer would know? Likely I might have to head to Whole Foods or something like it for sushi grade stuff. Do you think?

  5. […] The Taste of Oregon’s Salmon Tartare […]

  6. sandy jung says:

    My question is, how long can I keep salmon tartare since I’m prob going to be the only one trying it

  7. Victor says:

    Hi Sandy, unfortunately it’s very perishable. So I would not keep it past two or three days.

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