Background:

Salmon became a featured dish in our house after watching Andreas Viestad, of New Nordic Cooking, wrestle one from a river by hand, then cook several great dishes with it. Our local supermarket recently started carrying “sushi grade” salmon blocks, which are perfect for grilling.

Ingredients:
2 pieces sushi grade salmon (8-10 ounces combined)
1 tbsp Kosher salt
1 tbsp organic raw cane sugar
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
½ jalapeno finely chopped
1 shallot finely chopped
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp local honey
¼ cup white wine
½ cup duck stock (or similar)
2 tbsp peanut or avocado oil divided
3 tbsp butter divided
Parsley
Juniper chips

Steps:

  1. Rinse off and pat dry the salmon pieces, the sprinkle on all sides with the salt and sugar, then allow to rest while the grill is heating up.
  2. For the sauce, heat 1 tbsp oil in a medium saucepan, then add the shallots and jalapeno, and allow to sweat for about two minutes, then add the garlic and sweat an additional minute followed by the wine and allow to cook out a couple minutes. Next add the stock (duck is preferred but vegetable works fine), lemon juice, honey, mix well and allow to cook down by about 50%, then add the butter near the end and mix well. Remove from the heat.
  3. Heat a cast iron pan, with 1 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp butter on the grill to around 400F, along with some juniper chips on the grill so they start to burn. Once the chips start to smoke add the salmon to the pan and sear each side for about one minute, closing the lid after each turn, until it shows a nice crust all around. By this time the smoke should be pretty strong, so watch your eyes! Turn off the heat and allow to “smoke” for another minute or so then remove from the heat and rest.
  4. Plate the salmon on whatever side you like (my personal favorite is vegetable orzo), then drizzle the sauce over both pieces of fish, and garnish with parsley.
  5. This approach works with a normal filet as well, just cook skin side down for half about three quarter of the time then flip over to finish.
    Barbecue Smoked Salmon Finished

    Barbecue Smoked Salmon Finished

    Barbecue Smoked Salmon Ingredients

    Barbecue Smoked Salmon Ingredients

    BBQ Grilled Salmon almost finished

    BBQ Grilled Salmon almost finished

    Duck Stock Cooking Down

    Duck Stock Cooking Down

    Duck Stock Reduced

    Duck Stock Reduced