Grilled Plank Salmon

1 (12 inch) cedar plank
2 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
3 tablespoons water
4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets, with skin
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (optional)
1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional)
1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. Soak the cedar plank in water for at least 2 hours and up to 12.
2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
3. Place the salmon on the plank, skin side down. In a small bowl, stir together the sesame oil, brown sugar, dill weed and sesame seeds. Stir in just enough water to make it liquid. Season with pepper and soy sauce if desired. Spoon the mixture over the salmon so it is fully coated.
4. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until the fillet can be flaked with a fork.

On the Grill
Preheat a grill to medium heat. Place plank with fish on the grate and cover. Grill for about 25 minutes, or until fish can be flaked with a fork.

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Cedar Plank Salmon

Planked salmon is a method of cooking and smoking salmon that has been used for many years. Make sure to use natural red cedar (no preservatives). The salmon is slow cooked, which produces a rich, smoky flavor.

24" x 8" x 1" untreated cedar plank
6 (4 ounce) fillets salmon
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
onion, slices
lemon

1. Submerge untreated cedar plank in water. Soak 12 hours or overnight.
2. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Place prepared plank on the grill, and sprinkle with coarse salt. Cover grill and heat plank 2-3 minutes until dry. Adjust grill temperature for medium heat.
3. Rub salmon fillets with olive oil. Arranage on plank. Top salmon with onion, lemon slices, and whatever spices you enjoy on salmon.
4. Cook salmon, covered 20-30 minutes, or until opaque and easily flaked with a fork.

When you purchase a whole fresh troll-caught Oregon Ocean Chinook Salmon from a commercial fishing boat or retailer, you can be assured that only the highest quality standards have been followed. Each salmon is cleaned and dressed at sea and held at an optimum temperature until the boat returns to shore and the fish sold.

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Cajun-Style Alaskan Halibut

6 tablespoons soy or vegetable oil
For Cajun spice blend:
4 tablespoons Spanish paprika
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons white pepper
2 tablespoons black pepper
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried oregano
For fish:
4 Alaskan halibut fillets (8 ounces each)

Clean grill with wire brush to get it as smooth as possible. Heat grill, using mesquite charcoal. When heated, wipe grill surface with a towel lightly saturated with soy oil. Repeat this process two or three times
before cooking the fish, always remembering to wipe with oil immediately before placing the fish on the hot grill. (This prevents sticking.)

To make spice mix: Mix all spice mix ingredients in a bowl. You will end up with 2 cups of spice mix but you will need only 1 cup for this recipe. Tightly cover the remaining spice mix and use another time. Put 1 cup spice mix on plate and dredge one side of each fillet. Place halibut fillet on hot, oiled grill, seasoned side down. Place the fish at a diagonal on the cooking grill. This reduces the chance of the fish falling through the grill or falling apart when turning the fish over.

Cook first side of fish 3 to 5 minutes or until fish turns from translucent to opaque/white halfway up thickness of fillet. Use fork and spatula to turn the fish over. Place fork under fish to gently lift it free of grill while you are easing the spatula under the fish. Turn the fish over, then lightly baste with soy oil. Cook until fish turns from translucent to opaque and white. Be careful not to cook the fish beyond the point of doneness; otherwise, it will dry it out and become toughened. Remove from grill and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Per serving: 315 calories, 7g carbohydrate, 50g protein, 10g fat (1g
saturated), 73mg cholesterol, trace of fiber, 1,434mg sodium. Calories
from fat: 28%.
This second recipe is from the Fish Market restaurants.

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Halibut Cubes in Thai Green Curry Sauce

1 can (15 ounces) unsweetened coconut milk (see notes)
1 to 2 tablespoons Thai green curry paste (see notes)
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce
1 pound halibut steaks or fillets, skinned, boned and cut into 1-
inch cubes
2 medium firm but ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and coarsely
diced (OR use the equivalent amount canned, drained diced
tomatoes)
Handful of fresh basil or mint leaves OR a combination

Do not shake coconut milk before opening can. Skim 1/4 cup of thick "cream" from surface of milk and heat it in wok or saucepan over medium heat until bubbly. Add curry paste, green onions and green beans and cook until mixture is quite fragrant and oil begins to separate from cream. Discard remaining cream from coconut milk if desired, then add remaining milk and fish sauce to pan. Bring to a boil, lower heat to medium and cook until mixture is reduced by half. Add fish cubes and tomatoes and simmer until fish is done, about 6 minutes. Stir in basil leaves and serve with rice. Makes 4 servings.

Notes: Coconut milk is high in saturated fat, so if you're watching calories, discard the oil-rich coconut "cream" and use 1 tablespoon peanut or corn oil when cooking the curry paste, green onions and green beans. You'll lose just a bit of the coconut flavor. Look for Thai green curry paste in Asian markets.

Per serving: 356 calories, 12g carbohydrate, 24g protein, 25g fat (20g saturated), 29mg cholesterol, 324mg sodium, 2g dietary fiber. Calories from fat: 63%.
From "West Coast Seafood" (Sasquatch Books) by Jay Harlow

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