There are so many ways you can cook salmon, from a simple seared salmon with crispy skin to oven-baked salmon, but sometimes I’m looking for a fun new way to eat this versatile fish. Glancing through the condiments in my refrigerator recently, I spied some Chinese hoisin sauce, and inspiration struck for this hoisin glazed salmon.

In this quick and easy recipe, hoisin sauce and a few pantry ingredients transform into a sticky glaze to baste over the salmon as it cooks. To round out the meal, I usually make steamed rice in my rice cooker and stir-fry some greens. I’ve also made delicious salmon noodle bowls with cooked udon or soba noodles tossed with some toasted sesame oil and a tangy cucumber salad.Key ingredients

Hoisin sauce: This dark, sweet-savory Chinese sauce is made of fermented soybean paste, sugar and other seasonings. It’s often served with Peking duck, used to make lettuce wraps or stir-fries, and goes into the marinade for char siu.

Salmon: Go for pieces that are about the same thickness so they cook evenly. If you can’t find 6-ounce pieces, ask for a 1 1/2-pound side of salmon and cut it into four pieces.

Garlic: A few minced garlic cloves add a depth of flavor and balance out the sweetness of the sauce.

Ground ginger: This warm spice works well with the garlic and sweetness in the sauce, and there’s zero prep involved since it’s dried.

Christine Gallary is senior recipe editor for TheKitchn.com. Submit any comments or questions to editorial@thekitchn.com