Name: Salmon with Black Bean Sauce
Yield: Makes 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons fermented black beans, rinsed, drained, and chopped; Four 6- to 7-ounce skinless pieces center-cut salmon fillet; 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons vegetable oil; 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger (use a Microplane); 1 garlic clove, minced (about 1 teaspoon); 2/3 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth or Chicken Stock; 1 1/2 tablespoons rice wine or dry sherry; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 teaspoon sugar; 4 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)

Image may contain Sara Moulton Human Person Advertisement Poster Flyer Paper Brochure and Female

Salmon with Black Bean SauceCookbook cover image courtesy of Random House

Fermented black beans should be in everyone's pantry—they complement just about any protein and they can be turned into a sauce in no time at all. They are actually small black soy beans preserved in salt. You have to soak them to eliminate some of that salt, but then they are good to go. This sauce would go great not only with salmon, but on top of chicken, shrimp, tofu, or stir-fried vegetables. Serve with Butter-steamed Broccoli with Soy and Simple Boiled Rice.

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Heavenly Halva Cake

Serve a thick slice for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up.

Vodka Gochujang Pasta

This pasta has some really big energy about it. It’s so extra, it’s the type of thing you should be eating in your bikini while drinking a magnum of rosé, not in Hebden Bridge (or wherever you live), but on a beach on Mykonos.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Kung Pao Cabbage With Tofu

Reliable cabbage is cooked in the punchy sauce and then combined with store-bought baked tofu and roasted cashews for a salad that can also be eaten with rice.

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.