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Salmon Garlic Noodles Recipe by Mr. Make It Happen
Introduction
If you’re in the mood for a dish that combines the rich flavors of salmon with the comfort of creamy garlic noodles, you’re in for a treat! This Salmon Garlic Noodles recipe is a delightful fusion of tender salmon fillets and perfectly seasoned pasta, all enveloped in a savory, garlicky sauce. With the added depth of roasted garlic and a touch of Parmesan cheese, this dish is a showstopper that’s surprisingly easy to make.
Bay Area-style garlic noodles, often referred to simply as “garlic noodles,” have become a beloved dish in the San Francisco Bay Area, particularly popular in Asian-American cuisine. Here’s a look at the origins and development of this flavorful dish:
Origins and Development
- Asian-American Fusion: Bay Area-style garlic noodles are a fusion dish that combines elements of traditional Asian cooking with American influences. The dish draws on flavors commonly found in Vietnamese, Chinese, and other Asian cuisines, integrating them into a format that appeals to a broader audience.
- Influence of Vietnamese Cuisine: The dish is heavily influenced by Vietnamese cuisine, particularly the Vietnamese “mì xào tỏi” (garlic noodles), which features stir-fried noodles with garlic, soy sauce, and sometimes oyster sauce. Vietnamese immigrants and their restaurants in the Bay Area adapted this dish to fit local tastes and ingredients, resulting in the garlic noodles we recognize today.
- Popularity in Asian Restaurants: Garlic noodles gained widespread popularity in the Bay Area through Asian restaurants and eateries that began serving the dish in the late 20th century. Restaurants, such as Thanh Long and Crustacean in San Francisco, played a significant role in popularizing Bay Area-style garlic noodles. These restaurants, known for their seafood dishes, added garlic noodles as a side dish or a main attraction, often pairing it with crab or other shellfish.
- Unique Preparation: The Bay Area version of garlic noodles is characterized by its rich, buttery sauce, heavy use of garlic, and the addition of ingredients such as Parmesan cheese, which is not traditionally found in Asian recipes but adds a creamy, umami flavor. The dish typically features thin spaghetti or egg noodles stir-fried with minced garlic, butter, soy sauce, and sometimes oyster sauce, resulting in a savory, garlicky flavor profile.
- Culinary Evolution: Over time, the dish has evolved and become a staple in many Asian-American fusion restaurants across the Bay Area and beyond. It reflects a broader trend of blending traditional Asian ingredients and techniques with Western culinary practices, creating unique and appealing dishes.
Cultural Impact
Bay Area-style garlic noodles are a testament to the vibrant, multicultural food scene in the region. The dish highlights the creativity of Asian-American chefs and their ability to adapt traditional recipes to new contexts while maintaining the essence of the original flavors. It has become a popular comfort food that exemplifies the innovative spirit of Bay Area cuisine.
We can’t have garlic noodles without garlic – so get to dicing, lol.
Prepare the Ingredients
For the salmon, we are keeping the seasoning simple, due to how much flavor is packed into the sauce. I am just going to use my AP Seasoning – but feel free to use whatever your favorite blend is.
MR. MAKE IT HAPPEN
All-Purpose Seasoning
Start by roasting the garlic if you haven’t already. To roast garlic, slice the top off of a head of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 400°F (200°C) for about 40 minutes until the cloves are soft and caramelized. Squeeze the roasted garlic into a small bowl and set aside.
Chop the green onions and mince the fresh garlic. Season the salmon fillets with a generous sprinkle of all-purpose seasoning. If your salmon isn’t prepped, make sure to pat it dry before seasoning.
Cook the Spaghetti
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the thin spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. This starchy water will help thicken the sauce and make it cling to the noodles. Drain the pasta and set aside.
I prefer to mix all of my sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl prior to cooking. This allows me to adjust the flavors as needed.
Cook the Salmon
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the salmon fillets, skin-side down. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the salmon is golden brown and cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 145°F or 63°C). Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing to coat the pasta with the garlic sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese will melt into the sauce, adding a creamy texture and a deliciously rich flavor.
Garnish with chopped green onions or chives for a fresh touch and serve the Salmon Garlic Noodles hot.
Tips for Success
- Roasted Garlic: Make sure to use roasted garlic for a sweeter, more mellow flavor. It’s a game-changer in this dish!
- Pasta Water: Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water. It’s the secret to making a smooth, silky sauce that clings to the noodles.
- Salmon Doneness: Be careful not to overcook the salmon. It should be tender and moist. Use a meat thermometer if you’re unsure (145°F or 63°C is ideal).
This Salmon Garlic Noodles recipe combines the best of both worlds: tender salmon and creamy, garlicky pasta. It’s a comforting yet sophisticated dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting friends, this meal is sure to impress!
Print & Download Salmon Garlic Noodles Recipe
Salmon Garlic Noodles
Ingredients
- * 1 lb salmon fillets
- * 1 head roasted garlic
- * 2-3 tbsp minced fresh garlic
- * 3-4 sprigs green onions, chopped
- * 2 tbsp butter
- * All-purpose seasoning, AP seasoning
- * 1 lb thin spaghetti
- * 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- * Salt, for pasta water
- Sauce Ingredients
- * 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- * 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- * 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon powder
- * 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- * Red pepper flakes, to taste
- * 2 tsps fish sauce
- * 2 tbsps hoisin
- * 2-3 tbsps brown sugar
Instructions
- We can’t have garlic noodles without garlic – so get to dicing, lol.
Prepare the Ingredients
- For the salmon, we are keeping the seasoning simple, due to how much flavor is packed into the sauce. I am just going to use my AP Seasoning – but feel free to use whatever your favorite blend is.
- Start by roasting the garlic if you haven’t already.
- To roast garlic, slice the top off a head of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 400°F (200°C) for about 40 minutes until the cloves are soft and caramelized. Squeeze the roasted garlic into a small bowl and set aside.
- Chop the green onions and mince the fresh garlic.
- Season the salmon fillets with a generous sprinkle of all-purpose seasoning. If your salmon isn’t prepped, make sure to pat it dry before seasoning.
Cook the Spaghetti
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the thin spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- This starchy water will help thicken the sauce and make it cling to the noodles.
- Drain the pasta and set aside.
- I prefer to mix all of my sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl prior to cooking. This allows me to adjust the flavors as needed.
Cook the Salmon
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Add the salmon fillets, skin-side down.
- Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the salmon is golden brown and cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 145°F or 63°C).
- Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing to coat the pasta with the garlic sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese will melt into the sauce, adding a creamy texture and a deliciously rich flavor.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or chives for a fresh touch and serve the Salmon Garlic Noodles hot.
Notes
- Roasted Garlic: Make sure to use roasted garlic for a sweeter, more mellow flavor. It’s a game-changer in this dish!
- Pasta Water: Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water. It’s the secret to making a smooth, silky sauce that clings to the noodles.
- Salmon Doneness: Be careful not to overcook the salmon. It should be tender and moist. Use a meat thermometer if you’re unsure (145°F or 63°C is ideal).
