harissa salmon with fennel yoghurt salad

In 2018 I went to help at a Life Kitchen cooking class. This harissa salmon was one of the dishes that was part of the day and it was so good and easy that I bumped into most of the students in the supermarket over the road right afterwards as they rushed to buy the ingredients. I made it that night and twice again the following week. It is a brilliant mid week dinner. Before I share my take on it, please take a minute to read the powerful story behind this delicious recipe.

An amazing project helping people with cancer to enjoy eating again

Life Kitchen is a project started by Ryan Riley to help people living with cancer and undergoing treatment to enjoy cooking again. It provides free classes throughout the UK and has plans to do much more. It was so moving to hear so many of the guests talk about how their treatments had left them unable to enjoy the taste of food, taking away a simple joy from what was already a painful time. All the recipes in class have been developed with one of my favourite subjects in mind – how to max out flavour in food. Ryan showed everyone how adding umami and acidity amongst other things can stimulate appetite and start to help people enjoy food again. You can read more about the work they do and how to support them here.

Life Kitchen harissa salmon ingredients (serves 2)

• 2 wild salmon fillets, skin on
• 2 tbsp harissa paste – In the UK buy Belazu rose harissa. In the US, buy it at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s
• 1 fennel bulb
• 3 tbsp plain full fat yoghurt
• 2 lemons or limes
• 1 tsp Nigella seeds
• sea salt flakes

Serve as it is or add these roast, squished potatoes, steamed asparagus or roasted cauliflower if you need more bulk.