Recipe: Simple Grilled Salmon Steaks

 Salmon is a great fish for the grill, as its meaty texture means it holds together well, and as it is a more fatty fish, it is less likely to dry out over the high heat. This simple recipe lets the flavors of the salmon and the grill shine through. Plus it's super easy to whip up in a jiffy on a busy weeknight for a delicious, healthy dinner!

Simple Grilled Salmon Steaks

Ingredients:

1 1/2 inch salmon steak (or fillet) per person
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp parsley
dash lemon-pepper seasoning
wedges of lemon for serving (optional)

Directions:

• Put salmon steaks in a glass dish and pour in the wine, oil, and seasonings, turning salmon to coat well.
• Put in refrigerator and let marinade for 2 hours or more, turning several times to make sure salmon marinades all over.
• When ready, set grill to medium and oil the grates or fish basket.
• Remove fish from marinade and reserve marinade. Put fish on direct heat on grill and cook for about 10 minutes, then flip and cook for 10 minutes more.
• Use the leftover marinade and brush on the fish several times before you flip, then again a few times before they are done cooking.
• Your salmon should be cooked all the way through and flake with a fork.
• Remove from grill to a platter and serve hot with wedges of lemon and grilled or steamed vegetables.

Recipe: Fettucine With Lemony Asparagus & Salmon Sauce

This is another great recipe to use with fresh, home-made pasta. Fettucine is one of the easiest pastas to make at home - with or without a pasta machine. This simple recipe combines fresh asparagus with lemon and salmon, for a light-tasting but hearty meal with lots of flavor.

Fettucine With Lemony Asparagus And Salmon Sauce
(Serves 4-6.)

Ingredients:

Fresh fettucine (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 lb. pkg uncooked fettuccine
1 lb. fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut with angle into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 lemon zested and juiced, in separate bowls
1 cup light cream
1 lemon cut into thin wedges
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 skinless wild-caught salmon fillet, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
1 oz. Parmesan cheese, finely grated

Directions:

• Bring a large pot of water to boiling and add 2 teaspoons salt, then add fettuccine, bring back to a boil, reduce heat and cook 3 minutes less than time directed on package, then add asparagus and cook 2 more minutes; Put colander in large bowl and drain spaghetti/asparagus through colander, reserving liquid; set aside.
• Into small bowl, put the lemon zest, add the cream, stirring to combine.
• Into another small bowl, squeeze the lemon juice.
• In the pot spaghetti was cooked in, add oil and salmon pieces, cooking over medium heat until salmon just turns opaque, about 4 or 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Add to the pot with salmon the pasta/asparagus, cream/zest mixture, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
• Over medium heat, cook a couple more minutes, until pasta is tender, but still al dente.
• If mixture seems too dry, ladle in a bit of the reserved pasta water, stir until sauce coats the pasta well, but doesn't get watery. Sprinkle on Parmesan cheese and toss.
• Serve hot in pasta bowls with lemon wedges and more Parmesan cheese if desired.

Recipe: Simply Perfect Grilled Salmon Fillets

It would be hard to find a recipe simpler than this one! This is why cooking on the grill is such a great choice for summer meals, when there are so many activities going on, and places you'd rather be than standing over the stove. These are delicious just as they are, but if you want to add a citrusy touch, try grilling with very thin slices of lemon on top - yum!

Simply Perfect Grilled Salmon Fillets
(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

Grilled Salmon (Photo credit: Another Pint Please...)

2 tsp olive oil
4 (5 oz ea) wild-caught salmon fillets, with skin on
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

• Preheat your grill and brush fillets with oil, then season generously with salt and pepper.
• Put salmon on hot grill, skin side down; grill until skin crisps and you can lift with a spatula.  Do NOT flip until you can easily loosen the salmon skin and all from the grill grate.
• Flip and continue grilling fillet on the meat side down for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
• Remove with spatula and serve. 
• Adjust cooking time according to the size and thickness of fillets.
• Serve with a green salad and/or grilled vegetables, and a crisp white wine.

Recipe: Asian Marinated Grilled Salmon

This tasty recipe combines zesty Asian flavors like ginger and soy sauce with tangy lemon juice and sweet honey to form a perfect sauce to complement the flavor of salmon. A quick and easy recipe, this is great on the grill, and also a snap to clean up. Serve with grilled vegetables and a fresh green salad for a quick, delicious, healthy summer meal!

Asian Marinated Grilled Salmon

Ingredients:

(Photo credit: mccun934)

3 pounds salmon filets (skin on)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger root
1/2 tsp chopped fresh basil
1 shallot, finely chopped

Directions:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, and lemon juice. Stir in the honey, ginger, basil, and shallot until combined well.
• Place salmon (skin side down) in a glass baking dish and drizzle with the soy mixture. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 
• Set grill temperature to medium.
• Put the salmon, skin side down, on heavy duty aluminum foil pieces. Drizzle some of the marinade mixture over the salmon, then seal the packet. 
• Put on grill, skin side of salmon down, and grill for 15 minutes. 
• Remove packets from grill, let sit for 5 minutes, then open the packets and remove the salmon using a metal spatula to separate the salmon meat from the skin, leaving the skin attached to the foil.

Recipe: Creamy Salmon And Sweet Pea Pasta Salad

This fresh summer pasta salad combines sweet peas with salmon for a delicious, cool and creamy summery dish great for a quick lunch or a potluck side dish. It's a great way to use up leftover grilled salmon from last night's dinner. Use fresh peas from the garden if you have them, but frozen will also work just fine.

Creamy Salmon And Sweet Pea Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

16 ounces seashell shaped pasta
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 cup cooked flaked salmon
10 ounces frozen petite sweet peas, thawed

Directions:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
• In a blender, add the mayonnaise, yogurt, onion, parsley, garlic and lemon juice; blend for 1 or 2 minutes or until smooth. 
• In a large serving bowl, add the cooked pasta, fish, and peas, then pour the creamy mixture from the blender over the top, toss to combine, and serve.

Recipe: Cedar Planked Salmon With Dijon Dill Glaze

Nothing says Pacific Northwest like salmon, and this simple and delicious recipe creates a marvelous melt-in-your-mouth dinner perfect for grilling out this summer along the coast - or wherever you find yourself. Remember to choose wild-caught salmon; farmed salmon is full of antibiotics and artificial coloring, and is fed on corn, which reduces the content of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and makes the fish less healthy for you to eat. Use fresh, simple, quality ingredients for a fresh, simple, quality meal!

Cedar Planked Salmon With Dijon Dill Glaze

Ingredients:

(Photo credit: naotakem)

1 1/2 lbs. wild-caught salmon filets
1 Tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp. lemon zest
1/3 cup Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cedar plank, soak for 2 hours in clean water, then drain

Directions:

• Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
• Generously brush the salmon skin with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper all over.
• Make the glaze by whisking together the lemon zest, mustard, dill, and mayonnaise.
• Evenly spread the glaze all over the salmon. Put the salmon on cedar plank and put the plank in the middle of the hot grill. Cover the grill and cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until salmon is cooked through.
• Remove plank and let cool slightly before removing.

Unique Grilled Foods – Unlikely Candidates Bring Big Flavor

The staples of the grilling world, like steak, chicken, and hamburgers are great, but there are some less common foods that make for amazing meals. These are ingredients and dishes you may not have thought of, but should.  Real grillers want to throw everything on the grill they can find.  And guess what?  They can!  Nothing should be off limits.  Let's take a look at some uncommon grilling fare that will tantalize your taste buds this summer!

Cedar Plank Salmon

Fish, grilled on a cedar plank. (Photo credit: woodleywonderworks)

If you want an amazingly romantic dish for your significant other with all the “manly-man” feel of grilling out, try cedar plank salmon. You start with a cedar plank, which is simply a piece of wood, that is soaked in either water or apple cider vinegar. Then you marinate a whole salmon fillet, with the skin on, in a blend of olive oil, lemon juice, and capers. The longer you marinate, the better it will be; six hours is ideal.

Set your grill on medium-low and once it gets hot, place the wet cedar plank on the grill and place the salmon skin side down on the plank. Spoon a little of the excess marinade, including the capers, onto the salmon and then close the grill cover and cook until the salmon is cooked through. The time will depend on the size of the salmon, but you are probably going to cook it for about 25 to 35 minutes. This dish is not only delicious, the presentation is gorgeous; rugged yet romantic. Perfect combination.

Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes are a great classic. So, why not try grilled green tomatoes instead? You can grill them healthier than frying them, especially if you leave off the breading. They also will not be in a pan with oil.  Keep the slices thick to help hold the tomatoes together.  You don't want all the juicy parts to disappear down the grates.  Just salt and pepper and place the tomatoes directly on the grill grates or on a grilling tray.  If you cut them thick enough, you may also be able to use a grilling basket that squeezes shut and holds them steady. This is a homey appetizer with great appeal. Serve with a nice dip for a complete appetizer, side dish, or snack.

Grapes on the Side

Fruit on the grill is an incredible treat. If you have ever had grilled mango or grilled pineapple, then you know exactly what we are talking about. But grapes? Sure, they are filled with natural sugars that help to caramelize nicely on the grill. A little bit of oil and a bunch of red grapes makes a great compliment to your grilled steak. Try green grapes as a side with grilled fish.  You'll need a grilling basket to toss the grapes around until they soften and start to brown.  A touch of salt will bring out the sweet. These are pretty, delicious, and quite unusual.

Cover via Amazon

Sausage Fruit Kebabs

When you think of sausages, thoughts of smoky flavored goodness served in a bun may come to mind. This is a great application, but does yet another sandwich seem boring? Then what do you do? You cut the sausage into chunks, add some fruit, a couple nice pieces of bell pepper, stick it all on a skewer and put it on the grill for a delicious kebab. Now that simple sausage is a beautiful dinner.  You can expand on the theme by making a little sauce out of fruit juice and soy sauce, reduced down in a saucepan. All these flavors blend well. With the salty sausage and the sweet fruit, you've got a perfect combination.

Outside dining does not have to be the same old thing every time you fire up the grill.  By playing around with a few new ingredients, you can come up with some amazing recipes. Surprise yourself and impress your family and guests with outrageously delicious dishes, hot off the grill!

Superfood Recipe: Salmon Timbale

This superfood recipe is super easy! It's a great use for leftover grilled salmon (which never seems as good by itself the next day), and incorporating fresh eggs from pasture-raised poultry, and butter from grass-fed cows will add even more healthy Omega-3's into this simple but company-ready recipe.

Salmon Timbale

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp butter (from grass-fed cows if possible)
1/4 cup fine bread crumbs
1/3 cup fish stock (or chicken stock)
1/3 cup milk
1 cup cooked salmon, chopped
1/2 tsp parsley, chopped fine
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and butter a small casserole dish.
• In saucepan, melt butter over low heat, then stir in bread crumbs and fish stock.
• Add remaining ingredients one at a time, slowly stirring constantly until creamy and hot.
• Remove from heat and pour into casserole.
• Set casserole in roasting pan filled with hot water and put into preheated oven.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until firm and eggs are completely set.

Recipe - Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Salad

Here is a tasty way to use smoked salmon. The salty tang of the salmon is divine against the coolness of cucumber and dill, and the lemon, horseradish and mustard help cut the richness for a perfect balance. This one is a delight on the palate, and fancy enough to impress at a dinner party as well.

Creamy Smoked Salmon & Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:

1 lb. smoked salmon, flaked
1 cucumber, washed, scored, sliced lengthwise, then quartered
2 tsp prepared horseradish
2 tsp brown coarse mustard, like Old World
1/2 cup sour cream
1 fresh lemon, juiced
1 Tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Romaine lettuce
Lemon wedges - for garnish

Directions:

• Combine the salmon and cucumber in a large bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the horseradish, mustard, sour cream, lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper.
• Pour the creamy dressing over the salmon and cucumber, gently tossing as you add to make sure salad is coated evenly.
• Test for salt, adding more if needed.
• Tear up Romaine lettuce and divide between 4 to 6 cold salad plates.
• Top each plate with a scoop of the salmon-cucumber salad.
• Garnish with lemon wedges. 
• Serve immediately.

More Tasty Salmon Recipes: 
   

Salmon - A Super Yummy Super Food

First off, sorry for the lack of posts last week. We were catching up from vacation, and decided to take a week off from blogging. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July, and we're glad to be back at it this week with an article on salmon - a great superfood to enjoy during the summer months, as it's light, and absolutely fabulous on the grill. See below for some delicious ideas for preparing salmon, and be sure to check back later this week for some tasty recipes that use this superfood.

You've probably heard a lot of talk over the years about salmon being one of the healthiest fish to eat.  You may have even added salmon to your diet.  But, do you know why?  Let's shed some light on why salmon is a super food and what specific benefits salmon has to offer as a part of your diet.

Meet the Super Fish

Certified Sustainable Salmon (Photo credit: Walmart Stores)

The mighty salmon is probably one of the most widely studied fish we know. These studies often involve sustainability and contaminants comparing farmed salmon with wild caught salmon. Farmed salmon represents a large majority of available fish in the U.S. However, these farmed salmon have been treated with antibiotics, have more fat content, and have less beneficial omega 3. For these reasons alone, wild salmon is a much healthier choice for regular consumption.

Salmon is categorized as a 'fatty' fish, but don't let that scare or confuse you.  The fat that is referred to is where we find the most powerful super food imaginable – omega 3 fatty acids.  These fatty acids are essential nutrient elements that contribute to your body's healthy functioning, beginning right at the top with the brain, and continuing throughout the body.  And, you can get more omega 3 fatty acids in just one 4-ounce serving of salmon than you would get in several days of trying to eat other healthy foods containing some omega 3s.

With so much emphasis on the tremendous amount and availability of omega 3 fatty acids in salmon, some of the other healthy aspects have tended to be overlooked. Salmon is also rich in tryptophan, the amino acid that helps the nervous system relax, rest, and even sleep. With more than 100 IU's of vitamin D in a serving of salmon, you have one of the very best food sources of D available. Also, salmon is a super source of selenium, which is associated with decreased risk of joint inflammation, prevention of certain types of cancer, and is known to protect against cardiovascular diseases.

And that's not all. Don't forget the protein. Salmon, like other fish, is a great, low fat, low calorie source of protein.  Then you get B3 (niacin), B12, B6, phosphorus, and magnesium.  And not just minimal amounts either... you're getting serious doses of nutrients in this seriously delicious fish.

More Salmon Benefits

As you can see, salmon has a lot to offer, but along with all those vitamins, minerals, and omega 3s, salmon is also lower in cholesterol than other seafood and shellfish, like shrimp and lobster.  So, while the omega 3s are improving cardiovascular health, the salmon is not adding a lot of cholesterol to counteract all the benefits.

The all-important omega 3s we've been talking about in salmon not only contribute to better brain function and memory, but also supports skin health, joint health, heart health, and digestive health, along with a host of other benefits.

Grilled Salmon, Tomato Salsa, Avocado (Photo credit: avlxyz)

Salmon also has selenium and certain amino acids that protect the nervous system from the effects of the aging process. It is also known to lower the risk of Parkinson and Alzheimer's disease, and can help prevent blood clots that can contribute to stroke.

Salmon tends to speed up the metabolism which helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body. That little four ounce serving of salmon we talked about earlier provides up to 30 grams of protein, which we know supports muscle strength. But, don't forget about one of our most important muscles – the heart. Yes, salmon has a lot of offer every system of our body. But, how can you enjoy salmon a couple of times a week without getting tired of it?

Preparing Tasty Salmon Dishes

A broiled, baked, or grilled salmon fillet is delicious all on its own, for most fish lovers.  But for some, the unique flavor of salmon is better when fixed in slightly different dishes or with a variety of sauces.

Cooked salmon works well with a lot of flavors.  A number of different glazes and seasonings can turn each salmon experience into a unique one.  Some herbs and spices to try in your rubs or sauces include cayenne pepper, mustard, fennel, ginger, and paprika.  A classic sauce for salmon that's worthy of your time is a maple syrup glaze. Made simply by reducing a mixture of maple syrup with various ingredients like brown sugar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and even chili powder, makes a splendidly sweet and savory glaze that compliments the salmon perfectly.

Creamed soups are another good option for enjoying salmon.  Much like lobster bisque, salmon bisque has a rich flavor that can be slightly sweet, slightly spicy, and definitely delicious.  Keep this bisque simple as the flavor of the salmon will carry it just fine.

Rye bread with smoked salmon, cream cheese and dill. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Salmon that has been cooked, cooled, and tossed in a big salad with mixed greens is a great choice for folks who like a little crunch surrounding their salmon. Choose a light vinaigrette and a variety of vegetables for your salmon salads. One vegetable that is especially complimentary with salmon is cucumbers. Try making a simple flaked salmon and diced cucumber sandwich spread for something extra special.  Just mix in a bit of light mayonnaise and spread on toasted English muffins or hearty crackers.

Of course, a favorite for holidays and buffet tables is smoked salmon. A few pieces of smoked salmon on a hearty cracker with a dab of cream cheese is enough to convince most non-believers that salmon is a food to favor.  But, you can also used smoked salmon to create wonderful salads, spreads, and more.  There is really no end to the ways you can enjoy this super super-food.

This popular fish lends itself to lots of different ideas and recipes, so don't be afraid to experiment with new flavors to find the ones you like best. Salmon is a very healthy food that provides countless beneficial nutrients all wrapped up in a super tasty fish.