Ginger-Glazed Sockeye with Grilled Eggplant

Late-summer Washington sockeye gets a glossy ginger-mirin glaze, paired with smoky Japanese eggplant and scallion rice for an elegant dinner in under an hour.

  • Total time: 50 min
  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Estimated total cost: $22
  • Calories per serving: 860 cal
  • Stovetop
  • Grill

Ingredients

  • Wild Caught Sockeye Salmon Fillet (Previously Frozen)
    1 lb $15.99
  • Japanese Eggplant
    12 oz $4.99
  • Botan Calrose Rice
    3/4 cup $11.29
  • Green Onions
    4 green onions $1.19
  • Fresh Peeled Ginger
    2 teaspoons grated $3.99
  • Water
    1 1/8 cups
  • Soy sauce
    3 tablespoons
  • Mirin
    2 tablespoons
  • Maple syrup
    1 tablespoon
  • Unseasoned rice vinegar
    1 tablespoon
  • Neutral high-heat oil
    3 tablespoons
  • Toasted sesame oil
    1 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    1 1/4 teaspoons
  • Black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon
  • Toasted sesame seeds
    2 teaspoons

Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat a grill to medium-high, about 425°F. Cut 12 ounces Japanese eggplant lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slabs. Thinly slice 4 green onions, separating 2 green onions for the rice and 2 for garnishing. Grate enough fresh peeled ginger to yield 2 teaspoons.

  2. 2.

    Rinse 3/4 cup Calrose rice until the water is nearly clear. Combine the rice in a small saucepan with 1 1/8 cups water and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 18 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes; fluff and fold in the sliced 2 green onions reserved for the rice.

  3. 3.

    Make the ginger-mirin glaze by whisking together:

    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons mirin
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon grated fresh peeled ginger

    Set the glaze beside the grill with a clean spoon.

  4. 4.

    Make the eggplant dressing by whisking together:

    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon grated fresh peeled ginger

    Set the dressing aside.

  5. 5.

    Pat 1 pound sockeye salmon dry. Coat and season the flesh with:

    • 1 tablespoon neutral high-heat oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

    Keep the salmon refrigerated until the grill is ready.

  6. 6.

    Coat the 12 ounces prepared Japanese eggplant with 2 tablespoons neutral high-heat oil and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.

  7. 7.

    Grill the eggplant with the lid closed for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until tender and deeply marked. Transfer it to a serving platter, spoon over the eggplant dressing, and tent loosely with foil.

  8. 8.

    Place the salmon skin-side down on the grill. Close the lid and grill without flipping for 7 minutes. Spoon the ginger-mirin glaze evenly over the flesh, close the lid, and continue grilling for 2 to 5 minutes, until the thickest part reaches 145°F. Transfer the salmon to a clean platter and rest for 3 minutes.

  9. 9.

    Divide the scallion rice and dressed eggplant between two plates. Portion the glazed salmon alongside them, then finish with the sliced 2 green onions reserved for garnish and 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds.

Drink pairing: A dry Riesling balances the sweet-savory glaze and the richness of grilled sockeye.