Salmon for Christmas

[Anonymous]

Buy it at costco. Plan .5 lb raw fish per person

[Anonymous]

I used to do a salmon for Christmas dinner until there were too many seafood allergies. I would either pick up from Harris-Teeter or Balducci’s. I never had to pre-order but if you want to make sure you get the right amount, you can. I would marinate it for a few hours in a Balducci’s-branded Thai sauce. Very tasty.

[Anonymous]

What is a side of salmon?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is a side of salmon?

Picture a whole fish, laid on its side. Now picture running a knife through the fish, cutting it in half, with the knife parallel to the surface the fish is laying on. So, you get two pieces of fish that are the length of the fish. That’s a side of salmon.

Doesn’t mean the head or tail is included when they’re sold this way, it’s just the easiest to describe it for you to picture that way.

[Anonymous]

OP I get the giant halves from Costco regularly. I roast them right under the broiler, minimally seasoned (usually just salt) and then serve sauce on the side. This is actually my family’s traditional holiday meal because I am from the Pacific Northwest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eh, I like something warm and hearty and with good aroma for a celebration- roast, steak, turkey, or the like.

Salmon is just the opposite.

Hmm. Not sure your opinion is needed here. The OP wants salmon suggestions. Maybe you misread the post?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. You are all so great, thank you! I called Whole Foods and they confirmed they have 3 lb salmon filets in store and would have them Fri/Sat. I'll also check out Costco.

For others who are planning salmon, I would love to hear about what you're pairing it with.

I'm planning:
Kale salad with sliced almonds and balsamic
Mashed red potatoes
Roasted asparagus
And we will have stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce, even if they stick out against the rest of the menu

OP, I would rethink the asparagus. That screams spring to me, not Christmas dinner. There is no way you can get local, decent asparagus at this time of year here anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. You are all so great, thank you! I called Whole Foods and they confirmed they have 3 lb salmon filets in store and would have them Fri/Sat. I'll also check out Costco.

For others who are planning salmon, I would love to hear about what you're pairing it with.

I'm planning:
Kale salad with sliced almonds and balsamic
Mashed red potatoes
Roasted asparagus
And we will have stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce, even if they stick out against the rest of the menu

OP, I would rethink the asparagus. That screams spring to me, not Christmas dinner. There is no way you can get local, decent asparagus at this time of year here anyway.

OP here. Great point! I will think about something else green. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. You are all so great, thank you! I called Whole Foods and they confirmed they have 3 lb salmon filets in store and would have them Fri/Sat. I'll also check out Costco.

For others who are planning salmon, I would love to hear about what you're pairing it with.

I'm planning:
Kale salad with sliced almonds and balsamic
Mashed red potatoes
Roasted asparagus
And we will have stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce, even if they stick out against the rest of the menu

OP, I would rethink the asparagus. That screams spring to me, not Christmas dinner. There is no way you can get local, decent asparagus at this time of year here anyway.

OP here. Great point! I will think about something else green. Thank you!

Roasted Brussels sprouts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I rather belatedly decided that I would like to serve salmon for Christmas and I am envisioning one big piece (a side of salmon?) that can serve 8, or ideally 10. Is this the kind of thing you need to order well in advance? Any ideas on where I might be able to pick one up or place a last minute order? I'm in MoCo.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

We make salmon dishes a lot for guests 8-10. We typically get a large fillet from Costco (cheaper) or Whole Foods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. You are all so great, thank you! I called Whole Foods and they confirmed they have 3 lb salmon filets in store and would have them Fri/Sat. I'll also check out Costco.

For others who are planning salmon, I would love to hear about what you're pairing it with.

I'm planning:
Kale salad with sliced almonds and balsamic
Mashed red potatoes
Roasted asparagus
And we will have stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce, even if they stick out against the rest of the menu

You need something with lots of dill. Or maybe you can use dill with salmon? Dill goes well with salmon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should I buy individual 4 oz fillets for 5 people? I have 1 guest out of 6 that does not eat salmon. What is a good secondary entree that I can serve that accompanies the salmon well?

A turkey breast en cocotte is dead easy.

(I used to dislike salmon and probably still don’t love it, but a creamy horseradish sauce gets it down, if you decide not to make a second entree).

[Anonymous]

Harris Teeter's salmon is the best in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

I love dill and Salmon. I usually make a dill mustard sauce, but if your whole family likes dill you can just cook it on top of the fillet.

[Anonymous]

I always make couscous with herbs, including dill, with salmon -- here is a recipe similar to what I make:

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/valerie-bertinelli/herby-couscous-11194263

I'd probably quick saute some Brussels sprouts, so they are crispy, but I wouldn't over season them or do them with bacon, which I know everyone likes but would just overpower the rest of the plate.