Quick-Cured Sake Salmon with Quinoa

Ingredients

• 1 (1-pound) salmon fillet
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar, divided
• 1 1/2 cups sake, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon chili paste
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

1. Place salmon, skin side down, on a plate. Combine 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon sugar; rub salt mixture evenly over skinned sides of salmon. Cover with plastic wrap; chill 2 hours.
2. Remove plastic wrap from salmon. Rinse salmon under cold water; pat dry with paper towel. Combine 1 cup sake, remaining 1 teaspoon sugar, chili paste, and garlic in a zip-top plastic bag. Add salmon; seal and marinate in refrigerator 1 hour, turning occasionally.
3. Place quinoa in a fine sieve; place sieve in a large bowl. Cover quinoa with water. Using your hands, rub grains together for 30 seconds; rinse and drain. Repeat procedure twice. Drain well.
4. Heat butter and 1 teaspoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until butter melts. Add pepper, carrot, and onion to pan; sauté 2 minutes or until onion is tender. Add quinoa; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in 1 cup water, remaining 1/2 cup sake, juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender. Remove from heat; fluff with a fork. Stir in parsley. Keep warm.
5. Preheat oven to 450°.
6. Remove salmon from bag, reserving marinade. Place marinade in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook until reduced to 2 tablespoons (about 7 minutes).
7. Brush skinned sides of salmon with remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil. Heat an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon to pan, skin side up; cook 3 minutes or until golden brown. Turn salmon over, and baste with reduced marinade. Place pan in oven, and bake at 450° for 5 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness. Serve immediately with quinoa.