Crispy Salmon Bites

As promised, this a tasty follow-up to the Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl with an encore performance of that crazy good dressing. This recipe makes 12 bite-sized cups. For larger portions, use a standard cupcake pan, and double all the ingredients except the dressing as it makes enough for 12 large bites or 24 small bites. For convenience, you can make these an hour in advance and refrigerate them until ready to bake and serve.

Crispy Salmon Bites

Ingredients

For the dressing

• 1/4 c. mayonnaise*

• 1 T. Sriracha

• 2 t. soy sauce

• 1 t. fresh lime juice

• 3/4 t. sesame oil

• 1/4 t. garlic powder

*If you can find Kewpie mayonnaise, it will add a unique flavor and even more creaminess to the dressing. Otherwise, regular mayo will work just fine.

Whisk all the ingredients together. Set aside.

For the Salmon Cups

• Nori (seaweed) sheets – 12 squares

• 1 c. cooked sticky rice* Allow 1 T. rice per piece.

• Optional: add 1.5 t. seasoned rice vinegar to the sticky rice for additional flavor

• 5-6 oz. diced salmon or ahi tuna, cubed into bitesize pieces, 2-3 pieces per cup

*I take the easy route and use premade sticky rice in a pouch. Available in most stores including Costco.

Directions

Marinate the cubed salmon in the dressing for a minimum of 15 minutes and no longer than 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 400°. Spray the cupcake pan with a vegetable oil cooking spray. For bitesize servings, cut 12 Nori squares in half and place each half into the cupcake mold making an X with the Nori. Place 1 T. sticky rice on top of the Nori and press into place. (Tip: If you hold the Nori in place with your finger when adding the rice, it will help keep it from sliding around.) 

Add 2-3 pieces of marinated salmon. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the salmon is roasted and caramelized on top. Place on a serving tray and choose your garnish.

Garnish: Choose any or all the garnishes below. I like a sprinkle of everything.

• Japanese BBQ sauce such as Bachan’s Japanese BBQ sauce. (Walmart, Costo, Sam’s and your local grocery)  

• Furikake (available at Trader Joe’s and your local grocery)

• Diced green onion – green parts only

• Everything Bagel Seasoning

• Crispy fried jalapeno bits (Trader Joe’s)

• Avocado – small slice

Something to Remember

The dressing recipe makes enough for a double recipe. I’ve seen (and made) this recipe in a standard cupcake pan. The downside is that the larger bites are a bit awkward to eat and require a knife and fork.