Cedar Plank Salmon

I don't know how I caught on so late, but apparently the cool way to cook your fish these days is on a cedar plank. What's cool about it is that the strong smoky scent of the cedar infuses itself into your fish while it bakes or grills. And aside from the taste, think how chic your dinner will look when you pull it out of the oven on a wooden plank. It just screams rustic. And did I mention cool?

So obviously, to make this recipe properly, (yes, you could just bake it without the plank, but where's the fun in that?) you'll need a cedar plank, which can be found at some grocery stores, but if not, Costco and Target both carry them (at least they do around here). A few things to remember when using a wooden plank to cook your fish: (1) make sure the plank is untreated- you really don't want any extra chemicals making their way into your dinner. This is also why you shouldn't buy your plank at the local hardware store. (2) You will need to soak the plank in water for an hour or two (this is to avoid kitchen fires). (3) And finally, our recipe below says to bake the fish, but if you dare brave the cold during this frigid January, you could also use your grill, adjusting the cook time as necessary.

Cedar Plank Salmon
Recipe from L. Rich
Pictures by Kelly

2 salmon fillets
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 lemon, cut into rounds
1/2 small onion, thinly sliced into rounds
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
1/4 cup salt
3 cups water

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine water and 1/4 cup salt and pour onto a large cookie sheet. Place cedar plank in salt brine and let soak 1-2 hours (you may have to weigh it down with a heavy jar or can).
2. Rub olive oil, salt, pepper and rosemary over salmon. Place fish onto cedar plank. Sprinkle salmon with cilantro; place a few onion and lemon rounds over the top. Bake about 12 minutes, or until fish easily flakes with a fork.