Salmon in Charmoula with Risotto-Style Israeli Couscous

I am writing this blurb a couple of days after we actually cooked and ate this meal. It wasn't my favorite, but Shea really liked it. To me, the flavors were somewhat bland and the presentation of the food was unappetizing. Shea thought it tasted "Mediterranean", and said that he would make it again. One thing to note, we did not have cilantro for the salmon marinade, so that could have made the difference.

I was really looking forward to making this dish; it might be worth making again with the cilantro to see if it would brighten up the dish enough (both in appearance and taste) to make it delicious.

Salmon in Charmoula with Risotto-Style Israeli Couscous

Courtesy of Food and Wine at http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/salmon-in-charmoula-with-risotto-style-israeli-couscous

SALMON

1. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2. 1/4 cup canola oil
3. 2 garlic cloves
4. 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
5. 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika
6. 1 teaspoon kosher salt
7. 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
8. 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
9. Four 5-ounce skinless salmon fillets

TAHINI SAUCE

1. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2. 1/4 cup sliced cremini mushrooms
3. 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
4. 1 tablespoon tahini
5. 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
6. 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill
7. Kosher salt

COUSCOUS

1. 1 cup Israeli couscous (6 ounces)
2. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3. 1/2 cup finely chopped Spanish onion
4. Pinch of cinnamon
5. Kosher salt
6. 1/2 cup tomato puree
7. 1 1/2 cups warm water

1. PREPARE THE SALMON In a blender, puree the cilantro, canola oil, garlic, ginger, paprika, salt, turmeric and cumin until smooth. Pour the marinade into a resealable plastic bag, add the salmon and seal the bag. Turn to coat the fish and refrigerate overnight.
2. MAKE THE TAHINI SAUCE In a small skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the mushrooms and garlic and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until the mushrooms are well browned, 10 minutes. Scrape the mushrooms and garlic into a blender and let cool. Add the tahini, lemon juice and 1/3 cup of water and puree until smooth. Stir in the dill and season with salt.
3. PREPARE THE COUSCOUS In a medium saucepan, toast the couscous over moderate heat, tossing, until golden, 10 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl. In the same saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and a pinch each of cinnamon and salt and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and just starting to brown, about 8 minutes. Add the toasted couscous and cook for 1 minute, stirring, then stir in the tomato puree. Add the warm water 1/2 cup at a time and stir constantly over moderately low heat, allowing the liquid to be absorbed between additions, until the couscous is al dente, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and keep warm; add 1 or 2 tablespoons of water if the couscous seems dry.
4. Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Scrape the marinade off the salmon, season the fish with salt and grill over high heat, turning once, until lightly charred and nearly cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Spoon the couscous onto plates, top with the salmon, drizzle with the tahini sauce and serve.

MAKE AHEAD The tahini sauce can be refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before serving.