Embracing Cucina Povera: A Spicy Twist on Tuscan Salmon

Today, I’m excited to share my take on a classic Tuscan dish with a spicy twist – Spicy Tuscan Salmon. This recipe not only pays homage to the rich culinary heritage of Tuscany but also celebrates the Italian concept of cucina povera, or “poor cooking,” which emphasizes simple, high-quality ingredients.

The Essence of Cucina Povera: Tuscany, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and historic cities, is also a culinary haven rooted in cucina povera. This traditional approach to cooking stems from using humble, locally sourced ingredients to create dishes that are both delicious and nourishing. This is a testament to the resourcefulness of Italian cooks who turned simple ingredients into extraordinary meals.

The style of cooking is very reminiscent of Nigerian cuisine, where we have a similar approach of elevating simple ingredients to amazing depths of flavors. It’s a celebration of the shared belief that you don’t need a pantry full of exotic items to create a symphony of flavors; all you need is creativity and a passion for good food.

SPICY TUSCAN SALMON RECIPE

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 3

Equipment

• Skillet

Ingredients

  

• Salmon fillets
• 2 tbsp. Olive oil
• 1 Shallot
• 1 tbsp. Chopped/crushed garlic
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper
• 3 Roma tomatoes chopped
• 1 tbsp. Pesto Genovese or basil
• 1 tbsp. Crushed chilies
• 1 tbsp. Paprika
• 1 tbsp. Smoked paprika
• 1 tsp. All purpose seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• 1/2 Dry white wine
• Spinach handful
• 1 tbsp. Butter stick

Instructions

 

• Remove the skin from the salmon and season it with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and crushed peppers.
• In a hot skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear the salmon on both sides. Cook for 5 minutes and set the salmon aside.
• In the same skillet, add 1-2 tablespoons of butter. Then, add the shallots, garlic and Scotch bonnet peppers. Cook for 2 minutes until it's fragrant, and the shallots become translucent.
• Add the Roma tomatoes and basil/pesto Genovese. Cover the skillet and cook the tomatoes until they start to blister. Then, add more crushed pepper, chicken seasoning, and dry white wine. Cook on medium heat for another 3-5 minutes.
• Adjust the seasoning at this point if needed. Then, add a handful of spinach. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the spinach becomes wilted. Add back the salmon and cook for 2-3 minutes. (Do not overcook, as salmon quickly becomes overcooked)

  I added some pasta to this, but you could serve it with rice if you prefer. Enjoy!

Keyword SPICY TUSCAN SALMON, TUSCAN RECIPE, TUSCAN SALMON

In just a few easy steps, we have transformed simple ingredients into a flavorful masterpiece, embracing the spirit of cucina povera. This Spicy Tuscan Salmon not only pays homage to the culinary traditions of Tuscany but also proves that a delicious meal doesn’t have to be complicated. Buon appetito!