Friday, May 23, 2008
A different kind of cook out
There will be good weather at last and just in time for the official opening of grilling season. If you are looking for something different to try for the grill this weekend, why not borrow an idea from the native Americans from the west and try cedar planked salmon?
Many supermarkets sell grilling planks and you may find them made from a variety of woods, not just cedar. Pick up some salad leaves from the farmers market to accompany the salmon and finish with local strawberries with ice cream from our very own Annapolis Ice Cream Co on Main Street. Enjoy the holiday!
Cedar Planked Salmon -serves 4
2lbs salmon, preferably Alaskan, in one piece and sprinkled with salt.
1 cedar plank
Soak the cedar plank in water for at least an hour before starting to cook, all day would be better. Preheat the grill, then turn down the burners or adjust the fire to a medium heat, if you have a thermometer in the grill you are aiming for 350 degrees.
Place the wet plank on the grill and leave to cook for 5 minutes with the grill lid closed. Don't worry that smoke appears.
Turn the plank over and place the salmon, skin side down, onto it. Close the grill lid and cook, still at a medium temperature until the salmon is cooked to your liking, my grill takes about 20 minutes. You can always take a peek by making a cut with a small knife into the fillet to check that the interior is opaque.
This recipe not only in a delicious dinner but also a very appetizing aroma from the grill, don't be surprised if the neighbors drop by around dinner time!
Many supermarkets sell grilling planks and you may find them made from a variety of woods, not just cedar. Pick up some salad leaves from the farmers market to accompany the salmon and finish with local strawberries with ice cream from our very own Annapolis Ice Cream Co on Main Street. Enjoy the holiday!
Cedar Planked Salmon -serves 4
2lbs salmon, preferably Alaskan, in one piece and sprinkled with salt.
1 cedar plank
Soak the cedar plank in water for at least an hour before starting to cook, all day would be better. Preheat the grill, then turn down the burners or adjust the fire to a medium heat, if you have a thermometer in the grill you are aiming for 350 degrees.
Place the wet plank on the grill and leave to cook for 5 minutes with the grill lid closed. Don't worry that smoke appears.
Turn the plank over and place the salmon, skin side down, onto it. Close the grill lid and cook, still at a medium temperature until the salmon is cooked to your liking, my grill takes about 20 minutes. You can always take a peek by making a cut with a small knife into the fillet to check that the interior is opaque.
This recipe not only in a delicious dinner but also a very appetizing aroma from the grill, don't be surprised if the neighbors drop by around dinner time!
