Baked Chipotle Salmon and Freekeh Bowls

First of all, that avocado. Why is it so satisfying to slice into a perfectly ripe, bright green fleshed avocado? I guess it’s because it is so horrifying by comparison to slice into an overripe one. There are few things in the kitchen that induce such heart-wrenching sadness in me. When it’s all pitted and brown and yucky.

No really, is there anything worse? I’m at a loss here.

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I know I always talk about how I used to hate a food and now I love it and I must sound like a broken record. And this, my friends, is a bowlful of such foods. Avocados, not unlike my now beloved coriander, used to taste like soap to me. I literally could not see why anyone on earth would choose to eat one. Turns out, my first avocado experience was with an unripe one, worlds away from the soft, yielding creaminess of a perfectly ripe Hass avocado. I was so mistaken. But it’s ok! I appreciate them now.

And salmon, well, just, no. The fishiest of the fish. My mom used to cook it for dinner but I refused to eat it. It wasn’t until probably a year or two ago that I chose to try it again to find, surprise surprise, that I loved it. It’s such a good vehicle for flavour! Especially my beloved chipotle. And so moist and perfectly flaky when cooked well. I love that about food though! That there are a million and one ways to cook something so that eventually, chances are, you’ll find a way to love it. And that our palates are so open to change. It’s fascinating. And delicious.

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One food that has always had my heart is bowl food. Food that can be eaten solely with a fork or a spoon. And colourful food. I have been known to squeak with joy at the sight of colourful veg at the local greengrocers. Yeah, I’m that cool. I just can’t even with rainbow chard – how can a vegetable be so beautiful?

And food that is a little less well known, something a bit different, I love that too. Take the herby lime freekeh in this bowl. Yes, you could use bulgur wheat, or quinoa, but why not use freekeh for a change?! It’s tasty and apparently quite good for you. So I’m in. All told, these baked chipotle salmon and freekeh bowls are perfect for both lunch and dinner. And you simply must make and devour them! They’re quick, simple and full of flavour. What more could you need?

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Baked Chipotle Salmon Freekeh Bowls

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 2

Calories 642 kcal

Author Eat Love Eat

Ingredients

• 90 g freekeh (1/2 cup) or another grain of your choice
• a small bunch of coriander finely chopped
• juice of 1/2 lime
• 2 salmon fillets (~250 g/1/2 lb)
• 1 teaspoon chipotle paste
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon rapeseed or olive oil
• bunch of greens rainbow chard, cavolo nero, spinach or whatever is in season, chopped
• 1 clove of garlic grated
• knob of butter
• 1 avocado sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180ºC/350ºF.
2. Start by cooking the freekeh. In a sieve, thoroughly rinse the freekeh and place in a saucepan with a pinch of salt and enough water to cover the grains by an inch or so. Bring to the boil and then turn down the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the freekeh is soft. Drain.
3. Stir the chopped coriander and lime juice into the freekeh along with a pinch of salt and pepper and a drizzle of oil. Set aside.
4. Whilst the freekeh is cooking, mix together the chipotle paste, cumin and smoked paprika with the oil and a pinch of salt. Rub the marinade all over the salmon fillets and place in a baking dish. Bake for 10 mins, or until opaque but still moist.
5. Steam or saute the greens and toss with the grated garlic, butter (or a little oil) and some seasoning.
6. Divide the freekeh and the greens between two bowls. Flake the salmon fillets and place on top of the greens and freekeh, along with some sliced avocado.

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