Sockeye Salmon Food

ALASKA SOCKEYE SALMON WITH HERBS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Remove Alaska Sockeye salmon from refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking. Heat grill to 375°F. Cut 2 pieces of wide, heavy-duty aluminum foil about 6-inches longer than the salmon side. Stack the foil pieces (shiny side down) on a baking sheet and spray generously with cooking spray. Place the salmon, skin side down, in the middle of the foil. Fold the foil sides and ends up (1 to 2-inches) to make a shallow pan around the salmon, leaving at least a 1-inch margin around the fish. Season salmon with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together the wine, butter, garlic and herbs. Spoon the mixture over the top of the salmon, drizzling with any remaining liquid. Carefully transfer the foil pan to the center of the preheated grill. Do not cover the salmon with foil or close the foil over the salmon. Close grill cover and cook for 10 to 13 minutes, cooking just until fish is lightly translucent in the center - it will finish cooking from retained heat. Remove from the grill and let rest a few minutes before serving.
• Roast in an oven preheated to 375°F, cooking 12 to 15 minutes, until lightly translucent in the center. Be sure to let the salmon rest a few minutes before serving.

OVEN ROASTED WHOLE SOCKEYE SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• With aluminum foil, line large sheet pan (11.5 by 15-inches) so it completely covers the tray. Leave about 12 to 14 inches of excess foil extended over the tray so you can later wrap the fish. Place the cooling rack on the foiled tray allowing for the fish to be elevated.
• Make sure the salmon is fully rinsed and patted dry. With your hands, rub olive oil around the outside and inside cavity of the salmon. In a small mixing bowl, add the thyme, oregano, garlic, sea salt, and crab boil seasoning. Mix together until incorporated. Rub the inside and outside of the salmon with the herb mixture. Place salmon on the cooling rack and then cover fish completely with the excess aluminum foil. Place into the oven for 15 minutes.
• Check to see if fish is tender by opening the foil and looking inside the cavity. If there is a light pink color, the fish is ready to serve. If not, keep in the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes maximum. Once salmon is a light pink color, remove from the oven, cut open aluminum foil.
• To serve, slide a serving spatula between the meat and the bone of the fish. Scoop out and serve.

BAKED WILD SOCKEYE SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In a small bowl, mix basil leaves, fennel and butter cubes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place sockeye salmon onto an oiled rimmed baking sheet.
• Stuff basil mixture into belly cavity of salmon and bake for 40 minutes or until firm to the touch and flesh is opaque and just beginning to flake.
• To serve, spoon additional stuffing onto each portion and drizzle with pan juices.
• NOTE: You can use one type of basil instead of the three different varieties.

BBQ SOCKEYE SALMON

Steps:

• Acquire a "cedar plank"; these are available at our local grocery stores, though I admit I like the thick ones, about 3/4" thickness. Soak in water at least one hour.
• Dust "smooth" surface of plank with sea salt.
• Lay fillet on the plank, and salt, generously, with sea salt.
• Light up the BBQ, leaving one side hot and the other side at minimum setting.
• Lay the planked salmon over the cool side of the grill, add 3-4 cups of either mesquite or alder wood chips onto the hot side, close BBQ hood.
• When flames start to happen with the chips, douse these quickly with water (just once!) and allow the fish to cook about 25 minutes.
• Extinguish the "cool burner at this point, and reduce the hot side to 33% output.
• Allow fish to cook to the "dore" colouring (reddish orange), about another 25-35 minutes, all with the hood closed.
• I know this sounds "overcooked" but I encourage you to try it! We serve this with raw garden veggies (tomato, cucumber, radish, carrot spears, fresh green pepper, etc) with a creamy herbed dip -- very "light" eating, perfect for the hot and humid summer weather.