There’s really nothing like a nice plate of seafood pasta to get you through the day. Not only is it a great source of carbs and protein, seafood pastas also tend to be really healthy. If you haven’t tried a decent plate of seafood pasta yourself, I suggest you whip up a simple pasta al salmone to get yourself an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
For this article, I will be sharing with you three pasta al salmon recipes you can easily try at home. I will also give you a couple of tips about choosing the best salmon for your pasta.
How to Choose the Best Salmon
Salmon is a great seafood ingredient because it’s easy to cook, very versatile, healthy, and can be bought pretty much everywhere. However, you may find choosing the best salmon a bit difficult since there are plenty of choices out there, and each has a distinct taste that makes it perfect for a certain dish. But before I tell you the different types of salmon you can use, you must first know how to spot a nice piece of fish.
Choosing Fresh Fish
When it comes to buying a great piece of salmon, there are two things you should look out for: Color and Smell.
The first thing you should notice about fresh salmon is that it doesn’t smell anything like a fish. Fresh salmon doesn’t have the unpleasant scent that you can often smell at a fish market. Instead, fresh salmon smells like a salty ocean breeze that you’d want to sniff over and over.
As for the color, you would want to keep an eye out for vibrant red and pink flesh colors. Salmon with pale colors mean that it has been in the market for a while, and wouldn’t have much flavors left in it. Another thing you should also watch out for are browned and curled up skin, especially on the belly and around the edges of the fillet.
Types of Salmon
Now that you know how to spot a nice salmon, you should now figure out what type of salmon you would actually like. Here are some types of salmon that you can buy at your local grocery store or fish market:
Coho
Coho is the type of salmon you should buy if you plan on storing it in the fridge for future dishes. Of all the types of salmon, the Coho freezes well the most.
Pink
Unlike the Coho, Pink salmon doesn’t freeze or age well. It is very fragile, and has a mild taste. This type of salmon also comes in cans more often than it does on fish markets.
Chum
Via wdfw.wa.gov
Chum salmon is the perfect salmon for smoking and grilling. Unlike the King and Sockeye salmon, this type contains less fat and more meat.
King
Via wdfw.wa.gov
King salmon has a rich and butter flavor that is perfect for most seafood dishes. However, it does come at a rather hefty price.
Sockeye
Via sciencepole.com
This salmon comes from cold glacial waters. Just like the King salmon, this fish is rich in flavorful fat.
Pasta Al Salmone Recipes
Now that you know how to choose the best salmon, and which salmon type you prefer, it is now time to put the fish you chose to good use. So without further ado, here are some pasta al salmon recipes you can try at home:
Recipe #1: Creamy Pasta Al Salmone
- 500g pasta250g smoked salmon
- 500ml heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step 1: Cook your pasta in salted boiling water until completely al dente
Step 2: Simmer smoked salmon with heavy cream to make the sauce. Continue to simmer the mixture until the salmon flavor is completely infused with the sauce
Step 3: Add salt and pepper to the sauce
Step 4: Add the sauce to the cooked pasta and toss until every piece of pasta is covered in sauce.
Recipe #2: Pasta Al Salmone with Vodka
Via thetimes.co.uk
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Half onion (chopped)
- 250 g fresh salmon
- 2 tablespoon vodka
- 5 – 6 cherry tomatoes (chopped)
- 80g smoked salmon (chopped)
- 4 tablespoon single cream
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 320 g pasta
- 1 tbsp. parsley (chopped)
Step 1: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until completely al dente
Step 2: Fry onions in extra olive oil for a minute in a hot pan
Step 3: Add fresh skinless and boneless salmon in the pan and cook for 5 minutes on each side
Step 4: Add vodka to the pan until the alcohol evaporates
Step 5: Reduce the heat and add the smoked salmon, cherry tomatoes, and cream. Stir the sauce for 2 minutes
Step 6: Add the sauce to the pasta and toss well
Step 7: Garnish pasta with chopped parsley
Final Thought
Pasta Al Salmone is a great seafood pasta dish you can easily cook at home for your family and friends. It has simple ingredients, and can quickly be prepared in a couple of minutes. However, when cooking pasta al salmone, you must not forget to choose a nice fresh piece of salmon for your dish to end up with the best flavors.
If you liked reading this article, and would like to know more about cooking, please leave us your feedback in the comment box below. Until next time, enjoy!
