Delicious Salmon Roe: A Guide to Caviar's Red Cousin
Salmon roe, also known as ikura, is a luxurious ingredient with bright orange pearls that burst with smoky, sweet flavor. It's a more affordable alternative to sturgeon caviar and a staple in Japanese cuisine, where it’s used in sushi and celebratory dishes. This guide covers the unique qualities of salmon roe, its health benefits, cultural significance, and how to incorporate it into your cooking.
Equipment
- Small bowl (for marinating)
- Sushi mat (optional, for sushi)
- Clean utensils for serving
Ingredients
- - 1 ounce of fresh or cured salmon roe ikura
- - Light soy sauce optional, for marinating
- - Rice if making sushi
- - Nori if making sushi rolls
- - Blinis or small pancakes optional, for serving
Instructions
- If marinating, mix salmon roe with a small amount of soy sauce and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Serve the salmon roe on sushi rice in gunkan maki (battleship rolls) or as a garnish over rice bowls (ikura don).
- Alternatively, serve the roe on blinis with crème fraîche and finely chopped onions.
- Enjoy with a glass of chilled champagne or dry white wine for a classic pairing.