Cedar Planked Moroccan Spiced Salmon Food

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.

CEDAR PLANKED SALMON WITH SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Soak plank in a tub of cold water for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.
• Score top side of salmon in about 2"/5cm diagonal strips but do not cut through the skin.
• Rub olive oil into salmon.
• In a small bowl combine sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper and cumin.
• Rub into slits.
• Allow salmon to marinate 10 to 20 minutes.
• Place salmon on soaked plank.
• Place the whole thing, plank and salmon, on the rack of a barbecue.
• Close the lid or cover fish with an inverted metal baking dish and barbecue 20 to 25 minutes or until salmon is cooked through.
• Remove cover for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• Do not turn fish during cooking. This can be brought to the table on the plank decorated with fresh herbs or the salmon can be transferred with a wide lifter to a serving platter or a clean plank.
• Bonnie Stern.

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-PLANKED SALMON

Steps:

• Soak two 12- x 7-inch (30 x 18 cm) untreated cedar planks in water for at least 30 minutes or for up to 24 hours.
• Place 3 salmon fillets on top of each plank.
• In small bowl, whisk together oil, lemon rind and juice, chives, mustard, salt and pepper; brush some over salmon.
• Place planks on grill over medium-high heat; close lid and cook, brushing with remaining lemon mixture for about 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with fork.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine sour cream, cucumber, dill, chives, salt and pepper.
• Serve planks on platter with dill sauce.

CEDAR PLANK SALMON WITH MUSTARD-HERB GLAZE

Steps:

• Put a weight atop the cedar plank and soak in water for a minimum of one hour, preferably longer.
• Brush the flesh side of the salmon fillet with olive oil; season with Kosher salt and fresh black pepper. Combine Dijon mustard and herbs; brush over salmon.
• Place the soaked plank on grill grate over medium-high heat; cover and heat for 3 minutes. Turn plank over with tongs and heat until light smoke develops, about 3 minutes more.
• Place salmon skin-side down on heated plank over medium-high heat; cover and grill until salmon reaches an internal temperature of 140 F, 15-20 minutes.
• Transfer salmon to serving plate. With tongs carefully remove hot plank from grill to a safe, heat-resistant cooling place. Let salmon rest 5 minutes before serving.

CEDAR PLANKED SALMON

Steps:

• Soak the cedar planks for at least 1 hour in warm water. Soak longer if you have time.
• In a shallow dish, stir together the vegetable oil, rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, green onions, ginger, and garlic. Place the salmon fillets in the marinade and turn to coat. Cover and marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to one hour.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat. Place the planks on the grate. The boards are ready when they start to smoke and crackle just a little.
• Place the salmon fillets onto the planks and discard the marinade. Cover, and grill for about 20 minutes. Fish is done when you can flake it with a fork. It will continue to cook after you remove it from the grill.

CEDAR PLANKED FRESH SALMON FILLET WITH SPICED CRANBERRY RELISH

Steps:

• Soak the cedar plank or shingle in water 3 to 4 hours.
• Combine all relish ingredients in medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture boils, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until onion is tender and mixture thickens. Cool.
• Meanwhile, combine soy sauce, orange juice, ground ginger and honey in shallow dish; add the salmon, skin side up. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Heat the grill/broiler to medium-high for indirect heat. Place the soaked plank on or under the grill for 3 to 4 minutes - or until the planks start to spit and crackle. Place the salmon skin side down on to the hot plank; place on or under the grill and grill for 20 to 30 minutes or until flesh is opaque and flakes easily with fork. Continually baste the salmon with the excess marinade as it cooks.
• Or, for those who are going to use a barbecue, light the barbecue and allow it to heat up for about 5 minutes; then place the soaked plank on the grill for 3 to 4 minutes - or until the planks start to spit and crackle. Put the salmon skin side down on to the hot plank and close the lid on the barbecue. You must monitor the cooking as the plank will buckle, crack, smolder and even catch on fire! Baste with excess marinade and cook as before.
• This style salmon can be served in several different ways. If the plank is smoldering, extinguish the smoldering parts of the plank. Using a large serving tray, place kale or rainbow chard leaves around the perimeter of the serving tray and place the plank in the middle of the tray with the leaves partially tucked under the edges of the plank. Serve with garlic roasted or steamed new potatoes, wild rice, steamed asparagus topped with bearnaise sauce and the cranberry relish of course!

CANADIAN CEDAR PLANKED SALMON

Steps:

• Submerge untreated cedar plank in water. Soak approximately 12 hours, or overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Place prepared plank on the grill, and sprinkle with coarse salt. Cover grill and heat plank 2 to 3 minutes, until dry. Adjust grill temperature for medium heat.
• Rub salmon filets with olive oil. Arrange on the plank. Top salmon with red onion, lemon slices and black peppercorns.
• Cook salmon, covered, 10 to 12 minutes, or until opaque and easily flaked with a fork.

CEDAR-PLANKED SALMON

Steps:

• Submerge the cedar planks in cold water and soak for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• To make the Pinot Noir reduction, combine the stock and peppercorns in a small saucepan and boil over high heat until reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the wine, thyme, and 2 tablespoons of the honey and boil until reduced by half, about 7 minutes. Add the reduced stock and boil until reduced by half again, about 5 minutes. Strain the mixture into a clean saucepan and set aside.
• Remove the planks from the water, put them on a baking sheet, and place them in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove and brush the tops of the planks with olive oil.
• Brush both sides of the salmon fillets with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place 2 fillets on each plank, leaving a few inches of space between the pieces of fish. Return the planks to the oven and cook the salmon to medium, 10 to 12 minutes.
• While the salmon is cooking, finish the sauce. Return the saucepan to high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon honey, season with salt and pepper, and cook to a sauce consistency (see page 250); you will have about 1 cup.
• Transfer the fillets to a platter or immediately serve directly from the planks. Top each fillet with some of the Pinot butter and drizzle with the sauce. Garnish with parsley leaves.
• PINOT BUTTER
• Pour the wine into a small saucepan, bring to a boil over high heat, and cook until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Stir in the maple syrup and let cool.
• Put the butter in a bowl, add the wine reduction, and stir until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 days to allow the flavors to meld.

CEDAR PLANKED MOROCCAN SPICED SALMON

Steps:

• Combine rub ingredients in small bowl and set aside. Pour olive oil over salmon and gently rub. Heat grill to 350 degrees. Place soaked plank on grill, close lid and allow plank to heat for 3 minutes. Flip plank, place salmon directly on heated side of plank, and close lid. Cook about 12 minutes for medium or until desired doneness. Remove salmon and plank from grill and allow to rest for 3 minutes before serving. Cooking times will vary depending of thickness of salmon.