Salmon in Tamarind Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 lb salmon filets, cut into 3 portions
• 2 teaspoon neutral oil, for greasing the salmon
• A pinch of salt
• 6 cilantro sprigs
• 2 small shallots, roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1-2 Thai chilies, to taste, or use dried red chili flakes
• 2 tbs neutral oil
• ½ C chicken stock or water
• 3 tbs palm sugar, finely chopped
• 3 tbs tamarind paste, store bought or homemade
• 1½ tbs fish sauce
• ¼ C red peppers, julienned (Optional)
• 3 tbs Fried shallots, (Optional)
• Jasmine rice, for serving

Directions

1. Prep Salmon: Lightly oil salmon and season with salt. Cook in an air fryer until just done, about 6 minutes. Let rest.
2. Make Paste: Separate cilantro stems from leaves. Chop stems and combine with garlic, shallots, and chilies. Pound or process into a rough paste.
3. Sauté: Heat oil in a pan and cook the paste until fragrant and lightly browned.
4. Build Sauce: Add stock, palm sugar, tamarind, and fish sauce. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves and sauce reduces slightly.
5. Finish Salmon: Add salmon to the sauce with any juices. Spoon sauce over and cook briefly to desired doneness.
6. Serve: Plate salmon, spoon sauce over, and garnish with cilantro, chilies, and fried shallots. Serve with rice.

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