ChezJ9

 

Wild garlic is at is peak now for foraging and should be in most places over the UK in flower. I Love wild garlic and this year I have been experimenting more with it. I think people who come into my kitchen recently must be sick of smelling it, or even on me for that matter! ( Never thought about that until now! ) Also what is coming up great in my kitchen garden are the herbs. My fennel has lasted all through winter and is still going strong.

One recipe that really stood out through developing was this one on how quick it takes to prepare and cook. Plus it is super healthy.

I don’t usually buy salmon purely on its cost and sustainability but I couldn’t get Loch trout which I would have used instead. I managed to find some Scottish salmon that was MSC certified which had a lovely taste.

Combining the lovely subtle fresh flavours of the wild garlic and herbs in the couscous makes this dish so light. I didn’t overpower the salmon either, just gives it a little gentle heat against everything else. This dish is perfect for lots of occasions and especially with Easter coming up it’s a lovely alternative if you don’t want to have Lamb or any other meats. One key factor to remember…Do not overcook the Salmon then it will keep it’s lovely flavour and just flake away nicely.

I paired this up with some lovely British tomatoes that look fantastic on the dish but if Im completely honest I don’t think they go with the rest of the dish. They have a beautiful taste roasted though. So that’s your choice on whether you put them on the dish or not.

 

Ingredients:

(Serves 2)

Salmon:

• 2 responsilbly sourced Salmon fillets ( I used Scottish )
• 1 tsp of dry Harissa spice mix/rub ( I use Spice Kitchen )
• 1 tbsp of rapeseed oil
• Sprinkle of sea salt to season. I use pink himalayan salt on mine but any good quality will do.

Wild garlic and herb Couscous:

• 150g of Couscous ( you might even have more left over for Lunch the next day )
• 250ml of vegetable stock ( boiling water )or enough to just cover the Couscous
• a handful of freshly picked wild garlic leaves, stalks off, washed and finely chopped ( Chiffonade )
• A good handful of fresh herbs finely chopped such as: Chives, mint, green fennel or fronds of, chervil and parsley. If you can’t get the fennel or chervil use a little tarragon or dill.
• A little salt and cracked black pepper to season if needed.

Roasted vegetables:

• 1 small red onion roughly diced
• 1 small red pepper diced roughly
• 1 small yellow pepper roughly diced
• 1 stick of celery chopped roughly
• 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
• Small handful of lemon thyme, (if you can’t get this use normal thyme and a little lemon zest at the end of roasting)
• Salt and cracked black pepper to season.
• British Vittoria tomatoes on the side ( optional )

 

Method:

• Preheat oven to 180c fan.
• Place vegetables in a roasting tin/dish with the lemon thyme and place in oven for 5 minutes.
• Place Salmon after 5 minutes in a roasting dish, smother the harissa and oil over it, season and place in the oven also for approximately 12-15 mins or when salmon is cooked.

• Continue cooking the vegetables also.
• Whilst these are in the oven together Pop your dry couscous into a bowl, cover with the vegetable stock and cover with cling film for 10 minutes. Leave aside.
• At this point pop your tomatoes in the oven if you want to use them.
• Then when all is ready in the oven, flake your couscous with a fork and will be fluffy at this point. Then add in your herbs and wild garlic, stir and leave to stand until all dished up together.
• Serve altogether and enjoy!