Sugar And Spice Brined Salmon Food

SPICE-RUBBED SALMON WITH HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the salmon: Pulse the coriander and fennel seeds in a spice grinder until coarsely ground. Transfer all but 1 teaspoon of the spice mixture to a small bowl and stir in the sugar and 2 teaspoons salt (reserve the remaining 1 teaspoon spice mixture for the sauce).
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place the salmon skin-side down on the foil. Rub the salmon with the olive oil, then sprinkle with the sugar-spice mixture. Refrigerate, uncovered, 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the herb sauce: Puree the parsley, chervil, chives, lemon zest and juice and the reserved 1 teaspoon spice mixture in a blender until a coarse paste forms. With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil and 1/4 cup cold water and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the broiler. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Broil the salmon until the top is browned and a thermometer inserted into the center registers 110˚, 9 to 11 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes on the pan. Transfer the salmon to a serving platter with 2 large spatulas, removing the skin. Serve with the herb sauce.

SWEET AND SPICY GRILLED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan on medium high.
• Mix together the hot sauce, brown sugar, paprika and cayenne in a small bowl. Transfer 1 tablespoon of the mixture to a large bowl and whisk in the mayonnaise; set aside the rest of the sauce. Add the chives, celery and onions to the bowl with the mayonnaise and toss well.
• Sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper. Brush the grill grate lightly with oil. Lay the salmon on the grill, skin-side up, and cook until distinct grill marks appear and the salmon releases easily from the grate, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and brush the fish with some of the reserved sauce. Continue to cook the fish, brushing the pieces periodically with the sauce, until the salmon fillets are glazed and just cooked through, 13 to 15 minutes more.
• Transfer the fillets to individual plates and serve with the celery slaw.

DRY-BRINED SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• Mix 1 cup brown sugar and kosher salt together in a small bowl.
• Spread a thin layer of the brown sugar mixture in the bottom of a 9-inch baking pan. Arrange 2 to 3 salmon fillets on top; cover with some of the brown sugar mixture. Repeat layers until all the salmon fillets are coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat a smoker to 195 degrees F (91 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Rinse brown sugar mixture off salmon fillets. Brush fillets lightly with honey and sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar on top.
• Pour cola-flavored beverage into the smoker's water pan; add water to within 1 inch of the top. Place half of the wood chips around the perimeter of the hot charcoal. Place salmon on the cooking racks.
• Cook salmon, adding more wood chips if needed, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), about 2 hours. Cool before serving, at least 15 minutes.

SALMON BRINE THAT'S OH-SO-FINE

Steps:

• Place peppercorns in a plastic bag and seal. Crush peppercorns on a work surface using a rolling pin.
• Combine water, crushed peppercorns, salt, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, white sugar, jalapeno peppers, garlic, and onion powder in a large bowl; stir until sugars and salt dissolve completely.

SUGAR & SPICE SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375* F. Grease a 13x9x2 inch baking dish. Place salmon in dish. Combine brown sugar, mustard, salt, cayenne, and ginger, and sprinkle mixture over salmon. Dot with butter.
• Bake uncovered at 375* F for 20-23 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
• While salmon bakes, make salsa by combining all salsa ingredients in a small bowl and mixing together. Serve along with salmon.

SUGAR-AND-SPICE BRINED SALMON

Steps:

• 1. At least 2 hours and up to 8 hours before you plan to smoke the fish, combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Place the salmon in a plastic bag or shallow dish, pour the marinade over it, and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. Leave it longer to intensify the seasoning.
• 2. Prepare the smoker for barbecuing, bringing the temperature to 180°F to 200°F.
• 3. Remove the salmon from the refrigerator, and drain it, reserving the marinade if you plan to baste the fish. Leave any clinging spices on the surface of the salmon. Let the fish sit uncovered at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes.
• 4. If you are using the marinade as a mop, stir the brine together with 1 cup water in a small saucepan and boil vigorously for a few minutes.
• 5. Transfer the salmon to the smoker, skin side down. Cook for 45 to 55 minutes, mopping it after 10 and 30 minutes in a wood-burning pit, or as appropriate for your style of smoker. Have a large spatula and a platter ready for taking the salmon off the smoker, since it will be fragile when done. We prefer to serve the salmon with some of the whole spices clinging to it. The fish can be eaten immediately or refrigerated and later served chilled. If you are using the fresh dill, arrange it on a serving platter. Top the dill with the salmon, and serve.

STOVE TOP SMOKER BRINED SALMON

Steps:

• Dissolve the salt and sugar in the boiling water. Combine remaining ingredients. Cool to room temperature. Pour into a baggie large enough to accommodate both the brine and the fish. Be sure fish is completely immersed in brine. Soak 1-4 hours.
• Gently rinse the fish under slow running water, removing some of the brine. Remove the lid from your smoker. Tilt the rack into the smoker, using the legs of the rack to rest against the lip of the smoker. Lay your fillet, skin side down, on the rack. Place rack in a cool, well ventilated place, such as a cool oven with the door propped open. Place a small fan blowing into the oven if possible. Allow to rest until a glossy film, or pellicle forms, that feels tacky-dry to the touch, about 4-8 hours.
• Prepare your smoker using the chips of your choice, about 1/4-1/3 cup total. Start smoker on high, and when light wisps of white smoke begin to rise, turn heat down to low and cover. Smoke over very low heat. This may take 1.5-2 hours. Check occasionally. Fish should appear opaque and lighter in color.
• This may be served warm or cold, or at room temperature. If you cool it prior to serving, the skin is easily removed.
• Easy Green Mayonnaise: 1 cup mayonnaise, 5 ounces chopped frozen spinach, cooked, squeezed dry, and cooled.
• 1/4 cup fresh herb of your choice (dill, tarragon, etc.) -- Combine the ingredients in a blender or food processor, process until well blended. Serve with smoked salmon.

SUGAR 'N' SPICE SALMON

Steps:

• Place salmon in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Combine the brown sugar, mustard, salt, cayenne and ginger; sprinkle over salmon. Top with butter. , Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 20-23 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the salsa ingredients. Serve with salmon.