Chili and Sage-Rubbed Salmon

Ingredients

Chili Paste:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, finely ground
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, finely ground
• 3 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh sage leaves
• 1/2 cup verjus, apple cider, or 8 tablespoons white grape juice mixed with 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Salmon:

• 4 (6-ounce) skinless salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt

Directions

Make the paste: Combine the oil and garlic in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place over low heat and cook until the garlic just barely begins to brown around the edges, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the ground coriander and cumin, and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in the chili powder and black pepper and cook, stirring, 2 minutes longer. Add the sage and verjus, bring to a simmer, and cook until reduced and thickened to a paste, 1 to 2 more minutes. Remove from the heat, transfer to a bowl, and cool completely before using.

Use your fingers to coat the salmon all over with the cooled chili paste. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Wipe the paste from the salmon.

Heat the oil over medium heat in a skillet large enough to hold all the salmon fillets. Sprinkle the salmon fillets with salt, place them in the pan, and cook gently until well browned and just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer the salmon to warm plates and serve immediately.

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