Cedar Plank Smoked Salmon Food

CEDAR PLANK SALMON

Steps:

• Soak cedar plank in salted water for 2 hours, then drain. Remove skin from salmon fillet. Remove any remaining bones. Rinse the salmon under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Generously season the salmon with salt and pepper on both sides. Lay the salmon (on what was skin-side down) on the cedar plank and carefully spread the mustard over the top and sides. Place the brown sugar in a bowl and crumble between your fingers, then sprinkle over the mustard.
• Set grill for indirect grilling and heat to medium-high. Place the cedar plank in the center of the hot grate, away from the heat. Cover the grill and cook until cooked through, around 20 to 30 minutes. The internal temperature should read 135 degrees F. Transfer the salmon and plank to a platter and serve right off the plank.
• Cook's Note: A direct method to grill the salmon may be used. Soak the cedar plank well. Spread the mustard and brown sugar on the salmon, but do not place the fish on the plank. Set up the grill for direct grilling on medium-high. When ready to cook, place the plank on the hot grate and leave it until there is a smell of smoke, about 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the plank over and place the fish on top. Cover the grill and cook until the fish is cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 135 degrees F. Check the plank occasionally. If the edges start to catch fire, mist with water, or move the plank to a cooler part of the grill.

CEDAR PLANK-SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat the smoker to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Combine butter, garlic, 3 sprigs dill, and salt in a heat-proof dish. Place in the smoker until butter is melted and infused with flavor, at least 20 minutes. Remove from the smoker.
• Lay salmon on the plank of wood. Brush salmon with the flavored butter. Season with salt and pepper. Place in the smoker and close the door.
• Cook salmon until easily flaked with a fork, about 40 minutes. Check at 10-minute intervals and baste with butter.
• Serve garnished with lemon slices, remaining dill, and remaining flavored butter.

CEDAR PLANK-SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• Brine the fish: Combine the brown sugar, salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and 4 cups water in a large bowl. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve. Add the salmon and weigh down with a can or skillet to keep it submerged. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Soak the wood chips and cedar plank in water 1 hour, then prepare your grill for smoking.
• About 30 minutes before smoking, remove the salmon from the refrigerator; drain and pat dry. Place the salmon, skin-side down, on the cedar plank and season with salt and pepper. Top with the lemon slices and thyme sprigs. Let stand at room temperature to dry out, 30 minutes.
• Once the grill reaches 250 degrees F, place the plank with the salmon on the cooler side of the grill. Close the grill and let smoke until golden and just cooked through, about 20 minutes. If using a gas grill, turn off the flame and let the fish sit 10 more minutes (this is not necessary if using charcoal; it imparts more smoky flavor). Remove from the grill and serve hot or at room temperature.

BAKED (OR GRILLED) CEDAR-PLANK SALMON (REAL SIMPLE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pre-soaked cedar plank on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Place the salmon, skin side down, on the cedar plank. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, oil, thyme, and cayenne. Spread over the salmon.
• Cover with foil. Roast on plank for 25-30 minutes, until salmon flakes easily and is opaque throughout.
• Serve with fresh lemon wedges.
• To grill: Follow instructions above, except put the plank with salmon (covered with foil) directly on the grill. Grill should be preheated to medium or, if using charcoal, allow the coals to burn until they are covered with white ash.

CEDAR-PLANKED BBQ SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat grill to high.
• Sprinkle BBQ seasoning on salmon fillets.
• Combine ingredients for crust mixture and spread generously over the flesh side (not skin side) of each fillet.
• Season soaked cedar planks with sea salt, and place on grill.
• Close lid and heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until they start to crackle and smoke.
• Lift lid carefully and place salmon fillets on hot planks, skinned side down.
• Close lid and bake planked salmon for 12 to 15 minutes for medium doneness.
• Squeeze lemon over fillets.
• Check periodically to ensure the planks are not on fire.
• Use spray bottle to extinguish any flames.
• Carefully remove planks from grill and transfer salmon to serving platter.

CEDAR PLANK-GRILLED SALMON

Steps:

• Combine brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle over fillets. Arrange fillets 1 inch apart on the soaked cedar planks.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Place planks over the cooler section of the center of the grill, turning the thickest sections of the salmon closest to the fire.
• Cover and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest parts of the salmon reaches 135 degrees F (57 degrees C), 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from grill and let salmon rest on planks, 5 to 10 minutes.