Salmon has long been a favourite in home and restaurant kitchens throughout Atlantic Canada. Its popularity is in part due to its versatility and year-round availability, but no question, first and foremost is its delicious taste. Salmon, like many other fish, lends itself to a host of preparation methods and seasonings. It can be baked, barbecued, poached, steamed, fried, grilled, broiled and microwaved. It can also be used as an ingredient in a variety of recipes to create an impressive dish for entertaining or the foundation for a quick family meal. Salmon is nutritious and is considered a source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, highly praised by many for helping maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Versatility makes salmon a meal for any occasion. This fish fits easily into even the busiest schedule. I suggest pre-planning and developing a weekly menu plan (including salmon on two days) to help reduce the stress on the busiest days of the week (you know the ones-when there is soccer practice, a baseball game and dance lessons all on the same night, not to mention that the lawn needs mowing and the laundry is dangerously close to becoming its own life form). This allows you to plan for relaxed family meals and entertaining.
A great two-day salmon menu could look like this: poached salmon, served with a Dijon or cool cucumber dill sauce and sautéed fiddleheads with a hint of maple is sure to impress your guests at a Saturday evening dinner party, especially if the salmon is poached in the microwave in minutes. On Sunday leftover poached salmon can be quickly transformed into a delicious salmon roll for a light lunch or salmon cakes for a delicious supper. And voilà, you have it: a trio of great salmon meal options, all based on the classic traditional poached salmon dinner.
Tips:
- Always purchase your fish from a reputable fish vendor or supermarket.
- Fresh salmon fillets and steaks should be moist with no dried-out or discoloured edges. It should also have an iridescent pearly look and be elastic enough to spring back when touched. Always check salmon for a fresh clean smell, with no "fishy" smell or bad odour.
- Store fresh salmon in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
- Prepare fresh salmon within one or two days after purchase.