Thai purple curry pasta with salmon is probably not a mixture you are prone to discover in a standard Italian or Thai cookbook, however that is precisely what makes it so uniquely particular. This recipe pairs oven-roasted salmon and blistered cherry tomatoes and onions with fusilli, and all of it’s tossed in a silky coconut milk curry sauce. The result’s wealthy, spicy, and tangy, hitting all of the spots for a whole dish.

Because the meals blogger behind On the Immigrant’s Desk, I’m no stranger to combining dishes from totally different cuisines to supply stunning outcomes that in some way really feel acquainted to all. Thai basil and cilantro on pasta could sound odd on paper, however when you see how nicely the tangy, funky coconut-tinged purple curry sauce coats every curve of the fusilli noodles, you will perceive why we have grow to be obsessive about this dish. The roasted tomatoes and onions combine with the purple, creamy sauce to supply a jammy, sweet-acidic medley that will be at dwelling in any typical Thai curry.

And the salmon? It brings the entire dish collectively, including a fatty protein that stands as much as the complicated sauce and makes this really feel like a whole dish. Whether or not you prep forward for lunch or make this on a weeknight, the ensuing Thai curry pasta with blistered tomatoes and salmon will match proper at dwelling in any mealtime lineup.

For the pasta and salmon, you will want contemporary cherry tomatoes, a sliced massive yellow onion, sliced garlic cloves, olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, salmon fillets, and fusilli pasta. If you do not have fusilli, you can too use penne or a extra adventurous pasta like garganelli. 

For the curry sauce, you will want Thai purple curry paste, full-fat coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar. Be sure you select , flavorful purple curry paste, as it could possibly make or break the dish. For serving, we propose topping with contemporary Thai basil, contemporary cilantro, sesame seeds, and purple pepper flakes.

Prep a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Toss the cherry tomatoes, onion wedges, and sliced garlic with 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.

Unfold the greens on the baking sheet and roast them for 12 minutes till the tomatoes start to blister.

Pat the salmon fillets dry and brush them with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season them with the remaining ½ tsp teaspoon and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

Push the tomato combination to the perimeters of the baking sheet and nestle the salmon fillets within the heart. Roast for 12-Quarter-hour till the salmon is cooked via and the tomatoes are deeply blistered.

Whereas the salmon roasts, convey a big pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook dinner the pasta in accordance with the package deal instructions till al dente.

In a big skillet over medium warmth, whisk collectively the Thai purple curry paste and coconut milk till easy.

Add the fish sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar. Simmer 3-4 minutes, stirring sometimes.

Add the drained pasta to the curry sauce and toss to coat.

Divide the pasta amongst 4 bowls. Prime every with one salmon fillet and a beneficiant portion of blistered tomatoes and onions (together with all pan juices).

Garnish the pasta with Thai basil, cilantro, sesame seeds, and a pinch of purple pepper flakes, if desired, and serve.

In the event you would favor to not bake the salmon, then we will recommend utilizing a skillet or the air fryer. Each will produce juicy, flavorful items of fish that will not be dry on the within or out.

For pan-seared salmon, select fillets with the pores and skin on, and pat them fully dry. Warmth a tablespoon of oil in a skillet, and prepare dinner the fish skin-side down. We advocate urgent it gently for the primary half a minute, as this may forestall the fish from curving. Proceed cooking for 4-5 minutes, then flip and prepare dinner for an additional 2-3 minutes. If the fish is not lifting simply from the pan, decrease the warmth and wait one other minute. The fully-cooked salmon must be opaque and measure 130 F earlier than you’re taking it off the pan, because it’ll proceed cooking for a bit.

For the air fryer, we will prepare dinner it at 375 F for 12-Quarter-hour, and also you need not flip it. The air fryer is definitely an ideal methodology for cooking fish, so long as you remember to preheat it. It does not overcook the fish and helps to maintain it from drying.

The best option to change up this dish is to swap out the pasta. You’ll be able to even skip the Italian pasta altogether and use Thai rice noodles for a extra conventional Thai dish. The second best method is to swap out the protein.

Altering up the salmon for shrimp might be our favourite method to do that. Jumbo shrimp will take in the sauce, require a really quick cooking window, and nonetheless keep the Thai-seafood spirit of the dish. Scallops would additionally work superbly, immediately elevating the dish to the extent of a special day meal.

If you wish to go one other route, hen thighs are nice right here. Simply be sure that to roast them for longer, about half-hour in whole. For a meat-free model, tofu can be nice for soaking within the sauce. If you wish to add greens, child corn was our favourite addition. Snap peas, broccoli, and spinach are additionally all nice, however have to be added at totally different occasions, with spinach requiring the shortest cooking time.