If you are a fan of salmon, and who isn’t, you’re going to love my Achiote rubbed salmon salad recipe.  This is a wonderful dish to serve on a warm spring or summer day as it is easy to prepare, light and delicious.  Top off your meal with a scrumptous apple cobbler and you’re sure to receive a standing ovation.

Achiote Rubbed Salmon Salad with Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit Vinaigrette
Serves Four

Ingredients:
4 (2 ½ oz.) Salmon Filets
2 tbs. Olive Oil
1 each Lime (cut in half)
1 cup Achiote Rub (recipe to follow)
6 cups Mixed Greens
8 each Radishes (sliced)
16 each Grape Tomatoes
1 cup Jicama (peeled and julienned)
1 cup Cucumbers (peeled, medium diced)
1 cup Queso Cotija (crumbled)
1 cup Almond Brittle (recipe to follow)
1 cup Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit Vinaigrette (recipe to follow)
2 pinches Kosher Salt
1 pinch Ground Black Pepper

Procedure:
1. Rub the top and sides of the salmon filets with the achiote rub at least 1 hour in advance
2. Heat half of the oil on a griddle or non-stick pan
3. Sear the salmon, rub side down, until lightly browned (approximately 3 minutes)
4. Turn over and cook approximately three minutes more, depending on the thickness, until it         feels firm to the touch
5. Squeeze lime juice onto top of salmon
6. Toss together, in a bowl, the remaining ingredients, except for the Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit        Vinaigrette
7. Add enough dressing to coat the salad ingredients, season with salt and pepper
8. Drizzle some dressing around the plate and place the salad in the middle
9. Lean the salmon on the salad and serve

Achiote Rub

Ingredients:
¾   cup Achiote
1 tbsp. Sherry Vinegar
2 cloves Garlic
1 tbsp. Soy sauce
1 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
¼ cup Olive Oil
1 each Lemon (juice of)
1 each Lime (juice of)
1 tbsp. Frozen OJ Concentrate
2 pinches Kosher Salt
1 pinch Ground Black Pepper

Procedure:
1. Puree all ingredients together in a blender until smooth

Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit Vinaigrette

Ingredients:
4 each Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit (or 2 cups of Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit Puree)
½ each Banana (peeled)
½ cup Rice Wine Vinegar
¼ cup Honey
½ each Lemon (juice of)
½ each  Lime (juice of)
2 pinches Kosher Salt
1 pinch Ground Black Pepper

Procedure:
1. Cut the ends off the cactus fruit, cut a slit on the side and peel off the skin with a paring knife
2. Puree in a blender with the remaining ingredients
3. Strain through a fine strainer.

Almond Brittle

Ingredients:
1 cup Slivered Almonds
2 tbsp. Honey
1 tbsp. Unsalted Butter (cut in small cubes)
2 pinches Salt

Procedure:
1. Place almonds on a small tray and drizzle with honey
2. Scatter butter cubes over almonds and dust with salt
3. Place in a 350°F oven and cook for 2 minutes, mix up all ingredients
4. Place back in oven and cook for an additional 2 minutes
5. Remove from oven and let chill

Apple Cobbler
Makes 12

Ingredients: 
4 each   Lemons (juice of)
12 each Apples (peeled & cored)
¼ cup Butter (cut in pieces)
½ cup Crystallized Ginger (minced fine) 
¾ cup Sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon
2 tbs. Flour
1 pinch Salt
1 ½ tsp. Vanilla
½ batch Crumb Mixture (recipe to follow)

Procedure:
1. Slice apples ¼“ thick and toss in lemon juice 
2. Melt butter in large sauté pan over medium heat
3. Add ginger and cook until slightly softened 
4. Add apples, lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, flour and salt
5. Cover partially and cook, stirring frequently, until just tender (about 10 minutes)
6. Stir in vanilla
7. Lightly butter ceramic dishes
8. Spoon in apple mixture, even with top of dish
9. Cover tops completely with crumb mixture 
10. Drizzle lightly with melted butter
11. Bake on sheetpans at 350° for 20 minutes or until top is a nice golden brown color

Crumb Mixture

Ingredients:
3 cups Flour
3 cups Sugar
½ tsp. Cinnamon
3 each Eggs
3 tsp. Baking Powder
¾ cup Butter (melted)
1 tsp. Salt

Procedure:
1. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, eggs, baking powder, butter and salt in mixing bowl
2.  Beat at medium speed until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
3.  Follow procedures 9, 10, 11 from apple cobbler recipe 

Bon Appetite!
Chef Lenard Rubin

The Wigwam is an intimate retreat that blends casual elegance with the charm of authentic Arizona.  To learn more about The Wigwam and the delectable cuisine at our onsite restaurants, please visit our website or call 623.935.3811.