Tacos With Salmon or Arctic Char, Greens and Tomatillo Salsa

Either salmon or arctic char will work in this dish. You can oven-steam it ahead and flake the fish, then just toss with the greens and salsa when you are ready to serve the tacos. The fish doesn’t have to be hot; but it should be well seasoned.

1 pound salmon or arctic char fillets

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 bunch spinach or chard (about ¾ pound), stemmed and washed well in 2 changes of water

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 to 2 garlic cloves (to taste), minced

1 to 3 serrano or jalapeño chiles (to taste), minced

1 cup cooked tomatillo salsa (ed: please link)

2 to 3 ounces crumbled queso fresco or feta (optional)

Shredded cabbage (optional)

8 to 10 corn tortillas

Chopped cilantro

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with foil and lightly oil the foil. Place the salmon or arctic char on top. Season with salt and gently rub the salt into the surface of the salmon. Add pepper to taste. Fill a roasting pan or cake pan halfway with boiling water and place it on the oven floor. Place the fish in the oven and bake 10 to 20 minutes (depending on the thickness), until white beads of protein appear on the surface and the fish can be pulled apart with a fork. Remove from the heat and allow to cool until you can handle it. If desired, scrape away the white protein beads, then flake the fish and place in a bowl. Discard the skin. Season the fish well with salt and pepper.

2. Steam the spinach or chard just until wilted, about 1 minute for spinach, 2 minutes for chard, or blanch in boiling salted water (20 seconds for spinach, about 1 minute for chard). Transfer to a bowl of cold water, then drain and, taking the greens up by the handful, squeeze out excess water. Chop medium-fine.

3. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a heavy, medium size skillet and add the garlic and chile. Stir until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute, and add the greens and salt and pepper to taste. Stir and toss in the pan for about a minute, until nicely infused with the oil, garlic and chile. Remove from the heat and add to the fish. Stir in 1/2 cup of the salsa. Taste and adjust seasonings.

4. Heat the tortillas: wrap in a kitchen towel and place in a steamer basket over 1 inch of boiling water. Bring to a boil, cover the pot and steam 1 minute. Turn off the heat and allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes without uncovering. Top the hot tortillas with the fish. Spoon on a little more salsa and if desired, garnish with crumbled cheese and shredded cabbage. Fold the tortillas over and serve.

Yield: 8 to 10 tacos

Advance preparation: The salsa will keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. You can oven steam the fish several hours ahead and the steamed spinach will keep for about 3 days in the refrigerator.

Nutritional information per taco (8 tacos): 174 calories; 6 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 27 milligrams cholesterol; 15 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 159milligrams sodium (does not include salt to taste); 15 grams protein

KS