Infinity Loop Salmon Couscous (Printable)

An elegant salmon and couscous dish featuring colorful vegetables arranged in a seamless figure-eight.

# Components:

→ Fish

01 - 2 skinless fresh salmon fillets (about 10.5 oz)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
05 - 1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
06 - 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced
07 - 1 cup baby spinach leaves

→ Grains & Legumes

08 - ½ cup pearl couscous
09 - 1 cup vegetable broth

→ Dressings & Garnishes

10 - 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
11 - 1 tsp lemon zest
12 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
13 - 1 tbsp capers, rinsed and drained
14 - 1 tbsp toasted pine nuts

# Directions:

01 - Set the oven to 350°F (180°C) to warm while preparing other components.
02 - Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a small saucepan. Add pearl couscous, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
03 - Briefly blanch zucchini, carrot, and fennel slices in boiling salted water for 1 to 2 minutes until just tender. Transfer immediately to ice water to preserve color, then drain and pat dry.
04 - Rub salmon fillets with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Place on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until just cooked through. Allow to cool slightly, then flake into large pieces.
05 - Combine Greek yogurt, lemon zest, and finely chopped fresh dill in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
06 - On a large serving platter, create a figure-eight shape with the pearl couscous. Alternate blanched vegetable slices and baby spinach leaves along the loops for visual contrast. Nestle salmon flakes into the curves of the couscous. Dot with capers and spoon the yogurt dressing over. Finish by sprinkling toasted pine nuts atop.
07 - Present immediately so that each portion reflects the continuous interplay of textures and flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impressive enough to serve at dinner parties, but the steps are surprisingly straightforward once you understand the flow
  • Every bite delivers a different combination of flavors—the beauty is that there's no wrong way to eat it
  • It comes together in just over an hour, perfect for when you want to impress without spending your whole evening in the kitchen
02 -
  • The figure-eight shape isn't just decorative—it's functional. It ensures that people naturally move through the ingredients in a way that combines flavors intentionally, rather than letting their fork jump randomly around the plate.
  • Don't skip the ice bath for the vegetables. The difference between muted and vibrant colors comes down to those few seconds of shocking them cold. It's the secret that transforms a good dish into a stunning one.
03 -
  • A mandoline slicer transforms this dish from good to extraordinary—uniform vegetable thickness means they blanch evenly and create that visual consistency that makes the loop feel intentional rather than scattered
  • Toast your pine nuts fresh in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes, letting your nose guide you. The moment they smell nutty and golden, they're perfect—and they'll taste infinitely better than pre-toasted versions
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