Black Bean-Salmon Stir-Fry

From EatingWell: August/September 2006 — Subscribe Now!

We use a generous amount of fiber- and vitamin C-rich bean sprouts in this quick stir-fry that combines tender cubes of salmon and a rich black bean-garlic sauce. Make it a Meal: Serve with store-bought crepes and plum sauce.

READER'S COMMENT:

"Yet another 'eh' dish from EatingWell.com. The salmon doesn't seem to go very well with the black bean sauce. The sauce seemed watered down. I added much more than a pinch of crushed red pepper and there was no spice at all. We ate this...

4 servings, about 1 1/2 cups each

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons black bean-garlic sauce, (see Note)
1 tablespoon Shao Hsing rice wine or dry sherry, (see Note)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Pinch of crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 pound salmon, skinned (see Tip) and cut into 1-inch cubes
12 ounces mung bean sprouts, (6 cups)
1 bunch scallions, sliced

Preparation

Whisk water, vinegar, black bean-garlic sauce, rice wine (or sherry), cornstarch and crushed red pepper in a small bowl until combined.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon and cook, stirring gently, for 2 minutes. Add bean sprouts, scallions and the sauce mixture (the pan will be full). Cook, stirring, until the sprouts are cooked down and very tender, 2 to 3 minutes.

Tips & Notes

Notes: Black bean-garlic sauce, a savory, salty sauce used in Chinese cooking, is made from fermented black soybeans, garlic and rice wine. Find it in the Asian-foods section of some supermarkets or at Asian markets.
The “cooking sherry” sold in many supermarkets can be surprisingly high in sodium. We prefer dry sherry, sold with other fortified wines in your wine or liquor store.
Tip: How to skin a salmon fillet: Place salmon fillet on a clean cutting board, skin-side down. Starting at the tail end, slip the blade of a long knife between the fish flesh and the skin, holding down firmly with your other hand. Gently push the blade along at a 30° angle, separating the fillet from the skin without cutting through either.

Nutrition

Per serving: 302 calories; 17 g fat (3 g sat, 6 g mono); 67 mg cholesterol; 12 g carbohydrates; 26 g protein; 3 g fiber; 802 mg sodium; 608 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Selenium (60% daily value), Vitamin C (33% dv), Folate (24% dv), Potassium (17% dv), excellent source of omega-3s.

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 other carbohydrate, 3 lean meat, 1 fat