Fiambre de Salmón (Salmon and Rice Packets)

Fiambre de Salmón is a perfect dish for picnics and other outdoor feasts because they’re portable and they taste just as good either hot or cold. My mom would make Fiambres de Pollo(Chicken) when I was a child to take to picnics, or paseos, as they’re called in Colombia. I made my version with salmon, and the result was an extremely juicy, moist piece of fish, infused with all the wonderful flavors from the vegetables.

If you don’t like salmon, feel free to replace the salmon with your favorite fish or poultry. If you can’t find banana leaves, cook them in foil packets.

Buen provecho!

Ingredients

(4 servings)

• 4 salmon fillets, skin removed
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 cup of aliños sauce
• 2 cups of cooked yellow rice
• 1 cup of carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup of fresh or frozen peas
• Banana Leaves and foil for wrapping
• Kitchen string
• Ají for serving

Directions

1. Cut the plantain leaves in 8 squares. Place 1 piece of the leaf on a work surface and place a second leaf on top, pointing in the opposite direction, like forming a cross.



2. In a bowl mix the cooked rice with the aliños sauce.



3. Put 1/2 cup of the yellow rice mixture on the center of the banana leaves. Place 1/4 cup of peas and 1/4 cup of carrots on top of the rice and place 1 salmon fillet on top of the vegetables.




4. Fold the banana leaves up, one of the four sides at the time, so that the leaves enclose all the filling, like you’re making a package. Tie with butcher’s string. Continue the process until all the tamales are wrapped and tied.



5. Wrap them again with foil paper. Bring salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
6. Add the packets cover and cook for about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly before unwrapping. Serve with lime wedges and ají.