Salmon

[Valosgirls]

Hey Girls:)
I was wondering if any of you have any good ideas on how to cook salmon? I wanted to fit some into my diet what with all the essential pregnancy oils its supposed to contain but havent cooked it before.
Would love some suggestions:p
Rik

[Chickadee]

Lay the salmon steak or fillet onto a sheet of al foil. Season with pepper and put a few thin slices of something citrus on top (lemon, orange, etc). Fold the al foil up to make a package and put in the oven, say 350o. Can also put it into a hot bbq with the hood down, on an upper rack if possible. Time will depend on the thickness but figure on 20-40 min. Cook till it is opaque and flaking.

Can also bbq directly on the grill (not griddle) of the bbq. Season with pepper, serve with lemon.

[Lilac]

I would just grill it with lemon juice and salt and pepper.
Its so nice just flakey and cooked lightly.
Yummy!
I want to go make some now!
Lx

[LucyE]

Timing varies depends on the size of the fish so this is just a guide. My fave is to get the fillets with the skin still on (especially the cut near the belly which is really fatty and tasty). I heat a pan and put a smidge of oil in (we have the Scanpan non stick ones). Then place the fish in flesh side down first. Allow it to cook for a few minutes until it moves in the pan when gently shaked. Turn it over and finish in a hot preheated oven. A small piece will only take about 5mins in the oven but check by seeing if the fish flakes when tested with a knife.

My favourite way to serve it and turn it into a 'real' meal is to add it to some boiled chat potatoes, halved, baby spinach leaves, blanched beans, tomatoes and a handful of toasted nuts (walnuts, pinenuts whatever takes your fancy). Then drizzle a red wine vinegar dressing over and dig in :)

[jembelina]

This is not quite as gourmet, but yummy and easy.....
Salmon patties....

410g tin pink salmon
2-3 medium potatoes, mashed
1 onion, sauteed
1 egg
generous pinch of mixed herbs
cracked pepper
about 1 tbspn of either - tom sauce/bbq sauce/chutney

Chuck everything except pots in a large bowl and mash up with a fork. add teh potatoes gradually till the mix is a good consistency for shaping patties. You will probably use most depending on the size of your potatoes. divide mix into 6-8 patties, coat generously in flour then place in pan with sizzling butter and oil. cook each side till golden and crispy. Yummy served with mustard and sauce and a big salad or vegies!! I usually make the mix in the morning then refridgerate till dinnertime.

[LucyE]

I love fish cakes too! I kind of follow a Rick Stein recipe which is basically just mashed potatoes with some flaked red salmon, chopped tarragon, parsley and salt and pepper. Make into patties and chill so they become firm. Then dust with flour, dredge through beaten eggs and some breadcrumbs. Chill again before cooking. I serve it with a green salad and herby dressing.

For the dressing, it's basically lots of chopped up tarragon, chives, parsley, dill, capers, lemon juice, olive oil, and a dash of red wine vinegar for extra 'bite'.

[cath]

I had this for dinner last night - it is really nice (serve it with rice and stir fried vegies with garlic and ginger tossed in soy sauce and oyster sauce.)The crispy,blackened top is beautiful.

Soy-Glazed Salmon (serves 4)

1/2 cup soy sauce
2tbs honey
1tbsp grated ginger
1/3 cup lime juice
4x180g salmon fillets

Marinate salmon in soy sauce,honey,ginger and lime juice for 10 minutes (or longer). Cook under a hot grill, basting with marinade for about 10 minutes until fish is cooked through and is blackened on top.

[SassyMummy]

My partner (an apprentice chef) cooked this for me...I tried it once to having only vaguely watched him previously...so it's pretty easy!

Pre-set your oven to about 200

Push a little SALT (sea salt is always better) into the "skin" side of a SALMON FILLET. Fry it lightly on the skin side first, (using Olive Oil to be healthier) then turn it over once. Don't let it cook through.

Shove it in the oven on a pan (pizza pan or whatnot) and cook until it's opaque and no longer that see-through pink colour.

Serve it on a bed of BABY SPINACH LEAVES wilted with just-fried ****AKE MUSHROOMS (and maybe some balsamic vinegar if you like).

Top the salmon with plenty of FRESH CHIVES (for some reason, the salmon just takes BRILLIANT with the chives).

I didn't like salmon until I had it like this. It's amazing!

[pegasus]

I've got a book called Good food for mums (recipes and advice for pre-conception, pregnancy and new mums). There's two recipes for Salmon in it:

Creamy Fish Pie - A light creamy salmon and cod pie, topped with a delicious lemon and leek mash.

Grilled Salmon with Celeric mash

I haven't tried either of these, but both look very scrummy (if anyone wants them, let me know and I'll post).

On the plus side there are comments on bonus points...Salmon contains twice as many calories as white fish, so grill or steam whenever possible. However, as with other oily fish, it contains valuable omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain formation, healthy development of the eyes and ensuring that pregnancies go to full term. (The other comment is along the same lines but also mentions that mackerel and herring are other oily fish).