Editorial sample recipeGuatemalanbeginnerhalalgluten-freedairy-free

Guatemalan Pan-Seared Salmon With Roasted Pepitoria Salsa

Name: Guatemalan Pan-Seared Salmon With Roasted Pepitoria Salsa
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Guatemalan
Ingredients: 4 portion salmon fillets, 6 oz each, skin-on; 0.5 cup raw unsalted pumpkin seeds, pepitoria; 3 medium plum tomatoes, halved; 0.5 medium red onion, finely diced; 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped; 2 tbsp lime juice; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp sea salt

Crispy salmon fillets paired with a traditional Guatemalan sauce made from toasted pumpkin seeds, charred tomatoes, and zesty lime.

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 15 min
Total: 30 min

Technique to learn

Pepitoria Toasting

Dry-toasting pumpkin seeds to release aromatic essential oils before crushing them into a textured salsa base.

Instructions

Step 1: Toast the raw pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, shaking frequently, until fragrant and lightly popped. Let cool, then coarsely grind in a food processor or spice grinder.
Step 2: Heat a dry cast-iron skillet over high heat and char the halved tomatoes skin-side down for 5 minutes until blackened. Transfer to a cutting board and chop finely.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine the ground toasted pepitoria, chopped charred tomatoes, diced red onion, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and half the sea salt. Stir well to form the salsa.

Step 4: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with the remaining sea salt.

Step 5: Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and sear for 4 minutes until crispy.

Step 6: Flip the fillets and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until cooked through. Serve immediately topped generously with the pepitoria salsa.

Cooking tips

Toast pumpkin seeds gently on medium heat; they pop and burn quickly if left unattended.
Keep the skin on the salmon to get a sturdy, crispy crust that contrasts nicely with the crunchy pepitoria salsa.
Original home-cooking adaptation inspired by Guatemalan; regional versions vary.
Use halal-certified meat, poultry, stock, sauces, cheese and other processed ingredients. Check labels and avoid cross-contamination. Recipe screening is not halal certification.

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