Marinated Stir Fry Salmon Bites

Marinated Stir Fry Salmon Bites

So here’s the thing about me and cooking salmon … because, yes, there’s a thing … 

I love salmon, but I dislike turning on the oven in my apartment during what has been a quite confusing early October in NYC - particularly when it’s technically Fall but still feels like Summer. Now, you might say, “Tina, what about grilling?” To which I would answer, “On my fire escape? Well, that’s illegal! I only sit out there and drink wine until I fall back into my window around 9pm! Then I pick myself up from the floor and drag my a$$ into bed.” 

And while I love my grill pan, she tends to be a royal pain in the a$$ to clean and without ventilation, I steer clear of it in the warmer months. I need to have open windows and air flow to use an indoor stovetop grill and since my kitchen gadget habit is also at max capacity - purchasing an electric grill is not an option. 

Inspired by my mom’s salmon skewers, eaten when I was experiencing the comforts of a home, a yard and someone to dote on me ... I wanted to find away to achieve this bite sized salmon love in my own home you know,  given my aforementioned cooking restrictions and complaints. 

I learned that if I cut a honking salmon filet with my kitchen shears and let them marinate in a little soy (or Aminos if you’re soy intolerant), coconut aminos for sweetness (then I can negate sugar or honey, which I’m workin’ to expand how I can remove sugar from Asian cooking without eliminating taste), ginger and garlic ... spray down a non-stick pan with extra virgin olive oil, add marinated salmon and cook over a medium high flame … I achieve similarly tasty results when compared to my moms salmon skewers. They even nicely browned (check out that photo, party people)! 

Preparing salmon this way can be managed in an apartment without using the oven, without a grill or yard and without buying a new pan. Jesus, I hope you have at least 1 solid non-stick pan … every family needs 1.

In case you’re wondering why I didn’t pan sear? I’m not into an oil splattering mess and I’m trying to keep a low-pro on the oil I use lately because in being mindful, I’ve realized I’m going through the stuff WAY TOO QUICKLY for a single woman cooking most nights for one.

There you have it, my deconstructed salmon skewers for NYC apartment living. Served alongside a farro + corn salad this meal was the perfect balance of nutritious at home eats that take under 10 minutes to prepare. 

Prep Ahead + Know Your Meal Possibilities 

1. On a weekend, take a hot minute and prepare a grain salad (or a pot of grains) and add beans and/or veggies! It’s a gift that keeps on giving all week long! Consider it your side that will make a complete meal once you add some protein - if you’re an animal protein popper! 

2. Marinate your salmon in the am or the evening before, in this way, when you get home, you’re simply firing up that non-stick pan and having a “stir fry” a par-tay! 

3. Don’t like salmon? Try shrimp and do that same exact thing, friend!

4. If a grain salad or eating over greens isn’t your bag, toss in your pan a bag of frozen veggies or broccoli and adjust seasoning to make a classic stiry fry!  

Marinated “Stir Fry” Salmon Bites

1 8 oz. piece of salmon cut into bite sized cubes
1 tablespoon of coconut aminos or 2 teaspoons of honey
1 tablespoon of soy sauce or Bragg’s Aminos
½ teaspoon of powdered ginger or 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger *I used what was in my pantry, clearly!
1 clove of minced garlic

Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Grapeseed Oil Spray *I use Bertolli, found in the oil/non-stick spray section at your basic grocery store
Coat a non-stick pan with EVOO spray and place over medium high flame
Add salmon and “stir fry” for 5-6 minutes until brown on the outside and cooked through
See above Prep Ahead + Know Your Meal Possibilities notes for serving