Sheet Pan Dinners: Harissa Salmon with Potatoes and Citrus

Like so many of you, we’ve been trying to eat a bit healthier in January to counter our holiday indulgences. This is a sheet-pan dinner that is clean yet flavorful thanks to the harissa.

What is harissa? It is a North African chili paste / sauce made from red chilies, garlic, vinegar, and spices. It adds heat and smokiness.

Unfortunately I was out of harissa paste which is thicker and more concentrated than the harissa sauce I used. Next time I will definitely make sure to have harissa paste on hand as I would have enjoyed a bolder flavor on the salmon. The orange juice and zest in the marinade helps cut the heat for those who don’t love spice.

Overall a delicious, healthy weeknight meal with only a sheet-plan to clean!

Sheet Pan Harissa Salmon with Potatoes and Citrus

Colu Henry, New York Times Cooking

INGREDIENTS

• 4 (6-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets, about 1- to 1½-inches thick
•  Kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 to 3 tablespoons mild or spicy harissa paste, depending on your preference
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• ½ teaspoon orange zest
• ¼ cup orange juice (from about ½ orange)
• 1 pound small potatoes, such as baby red or fingerlings, cut in half lengthwise
• 1 small red onion, peeled, quartered and cut into ½-inch wedges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup cilantro, roughly chopped, both leaves and tender stems
• 3 tablespoons scallions, thinly sliced on an angle, both white and green parts
•  Flaky salt, for serving

PREPARATION

1. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Lay salmon on a plate, and season with salt and pepper. In a shallow bowl, whisk together harissa, ginger, garlic, orange zest and juice. Spoon the mixture over the flesh and sides of the fish, and let marinate at room temperature.
2. Meanwhile, line a sheet pan with parchment paper (or use a nonstick sheet pan). In a large bowl, toss together the potatoes and onion with the olive oil, and season well with salt and pepper. Arrange them on the sheet pan in 1 layer, leaving 4 spaces for the salmon fillets to be added later. Roast until the potatoes are beginning to brown and are almost cooked through, about 20 minutes.
3. Add the salmon to the sheet pan skin-side down, and roast until the fish is opaque and cooked through and the potatoes are crisp, about 8 minutes more. Scatter cilantro and scallions over everything, and season with flaky salt.