Cooking salmon...

[Anonymous]

I realize this is WAY off-topic, but I need help. I'm trying to eat more fish - so I bought some salmon steaks this morning. I have NO clue how to took them. Yes, I could look for a recipe, but I'm posting here to see if anyone has a proven yummy recipe for me! I have basic ingredients in the kitchen and fresh herbs. Thanks in advance for any ideas!!

[Anonymous]

My all-time favorite way to cook salmon is to do a quick marinade of ginger (to taste), garlic (to taste), soy sauce (about 1/2 C. for 2 salmon steaks), and a dash of white wine or sherry. Combine those ingredients and heat it up just enough to dissolve about a tablespoon of sugar in the marinade. Then marinate the salmon for just about 20-25 minutes and grill or broil. Yummy!

[Anonymous]

PP here-- I should add that for best results, use fresh ginger and garlic and mince it up (as opposed to using bottled ground spices).

[Anonymous]

Sounds really yummy!
How long do you broil it, usually?

[Anonymous]

Salmon steaks are great on the grill. Just coat them and the grill (while cold) with olive oil so they don't stick.

My other favorite way to prepare them is to poach them and then eat them chilled. Put thick slices of onion into a pan, place the steaks on top, and add enough water so it doesn't boil away while they poach. I usually make the onion slices a half inch thick and put a half inch of water in. Some fresh dill is nice in there, too. Poach just until the salmon isn't raw inside anymore. You have to keep checking every couple of minutes with a fork. Let them cool, then put them in the fridge until cold. I like to make a sauce with nonfat greek yogurt, a little fresh lemon juice, and garlic powder and cumin powder to taste. I love cold poached salmon for breakfast, with some fresh berries on the side!

[Anonymous]

I don't know the measurements right off my head but I will tell you that most great marinades I have always use soy and garlic (best minced, not powder as PP stated). You mentioned fresh herbs - tarragon is good with salmon.

The one thing I found odd is that a lot of marinades use lemon juice and tell you to mix it in with everything else. Bad idea!! While I love to use a bit of lemon juice it should be added right before cooking - NOT as part of your marinade. The acidic properties of the lemon break down the fish as it marinates which you don't want.

[Anonymous]

Hi. 14.11 (and 14.12!) poster here. Depending on the thickness of the steaks, I usually start at about 5 minutes per side with the fish about 6 inches from the broiler and go from there.

[Anonymous]

We love salmon and eat it about 3x a week.

Buy cedar planks and plop salmon on there (skin side down). No need to flip or anything. Just put plank on grill for 18-20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Without cedar planks- plop salmon on grill skin side down (be sure to grease first) for 8 minutes, flip and remove skin, grill for 8 more minutes, flip again for about 5 minutes

If you would prefer to bake:
season salmon with marinade (found in dressing aisle) or with some lemon pepper, etc. and put in casserol dish (grease it first) skin side down. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. No flipping.

Salmon is done when it's pink and shreds easily. Remove skin and dark meat from underneath. Also, try to remember to rinse salmon in cold water before cooking.

WASH hands and surfaces too!

[Anonymous]

Another tasty way to cook salmon is to coat the top with either spicy or honey mustard, then sprinkle some fresh dill on top. You can then grill or bake the salmon. Very good and super easy!

[Anonymous]

If you want to feed to the kids. A great way to prepare without all the salt from marinades is just fresh herbs and cover with mayonaise. Before you eat it just wipe it off. A little bit of mayo taste great. The chef who told me about this said to leave the mayo on, but my kids don't like 'sauce'.

[Anonymous]

mayo is better than salt??

[Anonymous]

another easy thing to do is to coat with olive oil and then sprinkle leman salt on the salmon--it's really simple but wonderful and healthy!

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for all the ideas! I went with the first one (the ginger/soy sauce) and it was so good. I plan on trying out the other ideas in the coming weeks! Thanks again!!

[Anonymous]

Mayo is just oil and egg. That's all.

[Anonymous]

There's also a spice mix, called Salmon Magic, made by Paul Prudhomme's brand. You can get the spice mix at Whole Foods. Just rub the salmon with a little olive oil, sprinkle with the spice mix and either grill or pan sear.