I love, love, love salmon that’s been cooked on a cedar plank! Every time I’ve used this cooking technique, the fish has been moist and delicious with a wonderful hint of smoky flavor. This particular recipe features a simple lemon-herb-pepper rub and a tasty horseradish-chive sauce…YUM! It’s definitely a great summer dish that is perfect for entertaining!

I bought a big slab of wild Copper River salmon at Costco (which was about 14″ in length), and found 15″ cedar planks for grilling at Lowe’s (the home improvement store… a 2-pack of the planks was about $8). For rustic presentation, serve the cooked salmon straight from the planks after it’s rested for 10 minutes or so (the bottom of the plank will be charred so set a platter or baking sheet underneath it). Enjoy!

Cedar-Planked Salmon with Lemon-Pepper Rub and Horseradish-Chive Sauce
by Fine Cooking Magazine 

Grilling on soaked cedar planks has a lot of benefits: the planks char lightly, creating cedar smoke that delicately perfumes the food, and fish doesn’t stick to the grill grates because it’s on the planks. Plus, this spice rub—a simple mixture of salt, cracked black pepper, lemon zest, fresh thyme, and a bit of sugar—pairs really well with the cedar-smoke flavor. Because it’s a simple technique, it’s easy to grill two fillets at once and use the leftover fillet the next day in a salad or sandwich. Serves 8.

For the salmon:
1 Tbs. grated lemon zest, minced
1 1/2tsp. chopped fresh thyme
1/2 tsp. granulated sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 2-lb. boneless, skin-on salmon fillets (preferably wild and no longer than 15 inches), pin bones removed
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

For the horseradish-chive sauce:
1 cup crème fraîche
6 Tbs. minced fresh chives
3 Tbs. prepared horseradish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Soak the cedar planks in water to cover for at least 1 hour. Drain the planks.

Prepare the sauce:
In a small bowl, stir the crème fraîche, chives, and horseradish. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate.

Prepare the salmon:
In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, thyme, sugar, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1 Tbs. pepper. Rub the mixture together with your fingers until the zest is distributed throughout. Rub the salmon fillets on both sides with the olive oil and then set each fillet skin side down on a plank. Sprinkle the fillets with the lemon-pepper mixture, dividing it evenly. Gently rub the seasoning into the fillets. Let stand at room temperature while the grill heats.

Cook the salmon:
Prepare a gas or charcoal grill fire for indirect cooking with high heat: On a gas grill, heat all burners on high; then turn off all but one burner just before cooking the salmon; on a charcoal grill, bank the coals to two opposite sides of the grill. Arrange the planks over the cooler part of the grill, positioning them so that the thickest part of the fish is closest to the heat source. Cover the grill and cook until the thickest part of each fillet registers about 135°F on an instant-read thermometer, 20 to 35 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillets. The planks may smoke a bit (this is fine) and will become very aromatic. Let the fillets rest on the planks for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Cut the salmon fillets crosswise into serving portions and transfer to individual plates. Serve with the sauce.

Make Ahead Tips: The sauce may be made up to 1 day ahead, and refrigerated, covered.

Leftovers: Cool any leftover salmon completely, wrap well, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Tags: BBQ salmon, cedar plank grilling, cedar plank salmon, cedar planked salmon, cedar planks, Cedar-Planked Salmon with Lemon-Pepper Rub and Horseradish-Chive Sauce, Copper River Salmon, Costco, Fine Cooking Magazine, grilled salmon, grilling, Lowe's, salmon, salmon fillets

Salmon, a great source of heart-healthy Omega-3, is a staple out here in the Pacific Northwest. I love the stuff! This easy recipe for the pink-fleshed fish calls for searing then finishing the salmon fillets in the oven. The fillets are then plated and topped with a dollop of lemon-ginger butter, which adds a citrusy zing to the dish without overpowering the salmon. It’s delicious!

I didn’t have chives so I substituted finely diced green onions (the green part only). Serve the salmon with sauteed spinach (or mixed greens with Ginger Dressing) and Triple-Sesame Jasmine Rice.

Sear-Roasted Salmon Fillets with Lemon-Ginger Butter
-recipe from Fine Cooking Magazine 

Searing the salmon gives it a golden crust; high-temperature roasting finishes the cooking and keeps the fish moist. Warming the lemon juice makes it easier to mix it into the softened butter. Wrapped well, the compound butter keeps for weeks in the freezer.
Serves four.
 
6 Tbs. butter, well softened at room temperature
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice, warmed slightly
2 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
2 Tbs. snipped fresh chives
Olive oil for the pan
4 salmon fillets (5 oz. each), skinned if you like, patted dry
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a bowl, blend the butter, lemon juice, ginger, and chives well. Set aside at room temperature.

Heat the oven to 500°F. Set a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and add just enough oil to make a light film. Sprinkle the salmon lightly with salt and pepper. When the oil is very hot, add the salmon, skin side up, and cook until nicely browned, about 1 minute. Flip the fish over and put the skillet in the oven. Roast for 2 minutes for medium rare; 4 minutes for medium well. Check for doneness with the tip of a knife. Remove the pan from the oven, transfer the fish to serving plates, and immediately top the salmon with a dab of the lemon-ginger butter.

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Tags: Fine Cooking Magazine, fish, ginger, lemon, lemon-ginger butter, roasted salmon, salmon, salmon fillets, Seafood