I’m testing out recipes that combine some of the key elements of Chinese medical nutrition for the winter season. In winter it is a great idea to eat black foods (the color associated with the kidney and bladder organs), and the flavors bitter and salty that help to consolidate, store, and descend qi. Warming foods are also ideal to help keep your core warm. Salmon is a naturally warming food. Its warming action is mild, so can be in your diet regularly. Miso is salty, helps to store and consolidate qi. If you garnish your salmon with black sesame seeds, you’ll get three out of the four big elements of winter nutrition. Serve it with some sauteed or steamed bitter greens and you are golden.

Ingredients:

• 1.25 pounds salmon
• 2 T yellow miso paste
• 2 T sesame oil
• 1 T mirin or water
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp grated, fresh ginger root

Instructions:

Cut the salmon into 1/3 pound filets, and allow to warm up to room temperature before cooking. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

While the oven preheats, whisk together the miso, sesame oil, mirin or water, honey, and grated ginger in a bowl. It should be a little runnier than pancake batter.

Brush each fillet with a generous portion of the miso glaze. Garnish with sesame seeds as an optional flavor burst.

Cook for 13 minutes, then remove from oven and allow to rest for 3 minutes. Serve.