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View Full Version : cedar planked salmon w/ maple glaze - recipe included and question


jjf
11-04-2000, 08:00 AM
i found this recipe on the epicurious site and in one of the reviews someone said that they bought a cedar plank at a lumber yard, washed it and soaked it for 2 hours and it worked just fine. what do you think they mean by "soaked it" - just in soapy water? if anyone has experience with cedar plank cooking, i would love to hear any advice/tips. thanks

jen

Cedar Planked Salmon w/ Maple Glaze

Plank cooking is a Native American technique that imparts a
subtle smoky flavor to fish, meat, poultry, and vegetables.
It is recommended to use a plank of untreated Western red
cedar made specifically for cooking purposes.


1 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons finely grated peeled fresh gingerroot
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
an untreated cedar plank (about 17 by 101/2 inches; if
desired
a 2 1/2-pound center-cut salmon fillet with skin
greens from 1 bunch scallions

Accompaniment: Mustard Mashed Potatoes


In a small heavy saucepan simmer maple syrup, gingerroot, 3
tablespoons lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, and salt and
pepper to taste until reduced to about 1 cup, about 30
minutes, and let cool. (Maple glaze may be made 2 days
ahead and chilled, covered. Bring maple glaze to room
temperature before proceeding.)

Preheat oven to 350 F. If using cedar plank, lightly oil
and heat in middle of oven 15 minutes; or lightly oil a
shallow baking pan large enough to hold salmon.

Arrange scallion greens in one layer on plank or in baking
pan to form a bed for fish.

In another small saucepan heat half of glaze over low heat
until heated through to use as a sauce. Stir in remaining
tablespoon lemon juice. Remove pan from heat and keep sauce
warm, covered.

Put salmon, skin side down, on scallion greens and brush
with remaining glaze. Season salmon with salt and pepper
and roast in middle of oven until just cooked through,
about 20 minutes if using baking pan or about 35 if using
plank.

Cut salmon crosswise into 6 pieces. On each of 6 plates
arrange salmon and scallion greens on a bed of mashed
potatoes. Drizzle salmon with warm sauce.

Serves 6.

mightyh
11-04-2000, 08:20 AM
I saw this on food tv yesterday (or something similar) and they said to just soak it in regular water... Didn't mention soapy water, but I guess when you wash it you'd use soapy water.

Grace
11-04-2000, 08:20 AM
No I don't think they mean soapy water. They say soak it because it is a piece of wood, and if it isn't wet, it would probably start on fire. Also, the plank probably gives off steam as well, and maybe even smokes a little to give the fish a cedar-y taste. But you'd have to soak it so it was really wet so it doesn't burn in the oven. But notice they recommend using one that is specifically made for cooking. Most wood at a lumberyard has been treated with some chemicals. If you go there, I'd make sure you find out if the wood has been treated or not - I wouldn't want to eat those nasty chemicals! Hope that helps.

Grace

[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 11-04-2000).]

Beth
11-04-2000, 12:48 PM
Yes, Sara Moulton did this and some other maple things yesterday. I think the show was a repeat, but she did say to be sure to get untreated cedar. One caller said he found untreated cedar at home depot, and she said it could also be found at Trader Joe's and King Arthur Flour (on-line). Sounds wonderful.

Laura B
11-04-2000, 05:01 PM
I saw that show and my mission today was to find a cedar plank and some Grade B maple syrup! Found the syrup (though not the same brand as Sara Moulton's). Went to Home Depot and they did not have any untreated cedar shingles. All they had were HUGE planks that they refused to cut for me (actually, he said he would cut me off a small piece but I would have to buy the whole 20 dollar board). So, off I went to my local gourmet store which had a beautiful cedar cooking plank that was almost 50 dollars. I did not make that purchase. So, I thought I would make the recipe without the plank and just use the maple glaze. It will still be great but without that smoky flavor from the plank. Thinking of the price of that nice plank, maybe I should have bought the whole darn board at Home Depot! What a frustrating day!

[This message has been edited by Laura B (edited 11-04-2000).]

jjf
11-04-2000, 06:26 PM
laura - please let me know how it is without the plank. thanks

jen

SusanL
11-05-2000, 06:33 AM
I have made this recipe many times and it is killer! However, cook it on the grill, low-med heat to get more intense flavor from the cedar plank! I washed with a small amount of soap, then I soaked it for about two hours in water, don't soak in soapy water. Home Depot had planks and I now have enough for many meals! The glaze is wonderful, I am sure you can make it without the plank, perhap using aluminum foil and put it on the grill? This is a great recipe for entertaining!!

Beth
11-05-2000, 01:18 PM
LauraB, do you have any wood chips that you could soak and put on your grill when you cook the salmon? You can buy fruit wood as well as mesquite, hickory, maybe even cedar. Even grape vines in CA. Not quite the same, but closest thing I can think of and it would probably run a couple of dollars instead of 20.

Laura B
11-05-2000, 01:20 PM
Beth, I thought about that this morning. I don't have a grill, but maybe I could get some chips and put them in the bottom of a roasting pan and do the salmon on a rack above?? Maybe I will try that if I make the recipe again.

jjf
11-05-2000, 01:22 PM
laurab - did you make it last night? if so, how did it turn out w/out the plank? don't mean to hound you, but i am planning to make it for company next weekend. thanks

jen

Laura B
11-05-2000, 05:15 PM
Hi Jen. I made it tonight and it was very good. My husband absolutely loved it. I liked it, but it was just a bit too sweet for me. I think the sweetness would have been countered a bit by the flavor of the cedar if I had used it. However, I would still recommend making it even if you don't have the cedar plank. I'll definitely make it again.