I love just about every kind of fish and form of seafood there is. You would think I grew up near the sea given my attraction to it, but perhaps it was all those Catfish and Bluegill dinners from the lakes of Indiana that got me started.
When we first came here to visit before our move the girl who showed us around told us, in not so many words, that we should avoid buying the seafood or fish because it wasn’t fresh. This being because we are so far inland. (In case haven’t mentioned it, as much as I would enjoy lying on the beach all day with my laptop and a drink in hand, unfortunately it takes a eight hour drive to get to one from here.)
Like any good traveler/ex-pat we heeded the advice of the locals and at first it wasn’t so difficult at all. If you don’t what your fish dried in the form of bacalhau (salted cod), then frozen is your other choice. Unfortunately the frozen stuff here tends to look like something that has been in the back of my freezer for a year, long forgotten. Not so appetizing.
As time went on though, we started enjoying all the amazing sushi so prominent here due to the strong Japanese influence. Okay, so somebody was getting incredibly fresh and tasty fish somewhere. Later I found the fish market located just outside our Asian market. Not outstanding, but a resource.
It does have great fish if you catch it on the right day and eventually I got up the courage to order salmon. It is amazing just how much courage it takes to ask someone behind a specialty food counter for something in another language, at least for me anyway. I’ve only purchased it twice, but wow, what a welcome change from red meat!
A long time ago a good friend gave me the recipe for an Asian salad her mom would make and while I don’t make the entire recipe often, I make the dressing all the time. We usually have it with chicken on a salad, but when I recently bought my second round of salmon I thought the substitute would be perfect.
I didn’t do anything special with the salmon, just baked it with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper. The salad isn’t anything special either, just the greens I have to use up and I often throw in some chopped green onions as well. The dressing, however, is what makes the dish.
You can substitute mascavo sugar or honey for the white sugar. The flavor will be slightly different, but still very good. This makes enough for a very large salad, like one you would serve at a party. It’s best to toss the lettuce in all of the dressing for full flavor, so when I am making salad for two I cut the recipe in thirds.
Sweet Soy Sauce Dressing
¾ cup oil (your choice, it would interesting to try coconut)
¼ cup white vinegar
½ cup sugar (again, your choice)
2 tbsp soy sauce
Whisk all ingredients in a small sauce pan. Cook over medium heat and allow it to boil for one minute. Remove and cool before tossing with the salad. Toss with toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Great and easy recipe! I bet it took a ton of courage to even start trying the fish after that warning!
That looks great! I wonder how it would taste with lowering the oil a bit.
I adore fish. Always worried about sustainable practice though, even at Whole Foods, so I don’t buy it often. What do you think? Is there really much choice depending where you live? Fish is so good for you!
Yum, I bet that dressing would be amazing on some Napa Cabbage!!!
One of the delicious and simple way to prepare fish is with sweet soy dressing, love it! 🙂
Lori, so great that you are going to visit Ubud – Bali. I heard that the shooting of the movie “Eat, Pray, Love” for the Bali part, will be this coming October in Ubud – Bali, there’ll be a big chance you might see Julia Roberts and the film crews!
Do not forget to make a reservation first at the Bebek Bengil restaurant if you wish to sit by the rice field.
If you love eating pork, I will recommend the suckling pig (babi guling) at Ibu Oka restaurant, also located in Ubud – Bali – Anthony Bourdain visited there once and said it’s the best pork he had ever eaten 🙂
I’m glad you were able to get salmon and it sounds like it was delicious! The sweet soy dressing is excellent!
What a nice easy dressing
As a serious fish lover you must really miss having it! This is so easy and so delicious. I’m glad you found somewhere to buy it.
I love fish. Seafood of just about any kind is delicious!
we eat alot of salmon here in the pacific northwest and your dish sounds fabulous!
Erica – Yeah, I took quite a bit of courage. We were careful with our choices. 🙂
Alison – You could definitely give it a try.
Michelle – That is something I’m just beginning to learn more about and become conscious of. I expect the salmon here comes from Chile so that can be a good or bad thing depending on the exact source and the way one views it. Living in a new country makes learning about that stuff really difficult. So far we don’t have any friends here that seem to be advocates or knowledgable on sustainable topics. We tend to limit our intakes for the same reason, and obviously that hasn’t been to difficult here.
Emily – Oh, yes, I add napa to my salad sometimes.
Selba – Thanks so much for stopping by with all that info. How exciting. We’ll definitely make reservations. I was having a hard time finding what to eat there so I’m so glad to have all these tips!
5 Star – It is one of my favorites!
kat – It really is simple to throw together.
Reeni – I didn’t realize how much I would. We love it, but didn’t feel like we really ate it that often until we didn’t have easy access! 🙂
Sagan – Me too. Always a good meal.
Kissmyspatula – Love salmon from that area!