A simple glaze of either honey and orange or blueberry and maple accents this cedar plank-baked salmon.
Salmon Filet 1 lb (500 g) wild salmon fillet 1 Tbsp (15 mL) finely chopped cilantro 1 Tbsp (15 mL) finely chopped thyme Juice of 1 organic lemon 1 Tbsp (15 mL) extra-virgin olive oil Sea salt and pepper to taste
To prepare cedar plank, visit your local hardware store and buy a 14-inch (36-cm) length of 1-inch-by-4-inch (2.5-cm-by-10-cm) untreated red cedar. Soak overnight in water and discard after using.
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Combine cilantro, thyme, lemon, and olive oil and rub into salmon. Season with salt and pepper. Place salmon on prepared cedar plank and place in oven for 15 minutes or until salmon shows white on the top. Do not overcook.
Wild Rice Fritters 1/4 cup (65 mL) wild rice 3/4 cup (175 mL) basmati rice 4 free-range eggs 3 Tbsp (45 mL) cornstarch 2 green onions, chopped 3 Tbsp (45 mL) fresh dill, chopped 3 Tbsp (45 mL) fresh oregano, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 3 Tbsp (45 mL) extra-virgin olive oil (or hazelnut oil for additional flavour)
Cook wild and basmati rice separately according to package directions and combine after cooking. Add remaining ingredients, except olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in medium fry pan over medium-high heat. Scoop batter into pan in batches and flatten fritters with spatula until they resemble 4-inch (10-cm) pancakes. Cook 3 minutes on each side. Keep warm in oven in separate pan from salmon.
Salmon Glaze 1/2 cup (125 mL) honey or maple syrup 1/2 cup (125 mL) orange segments or whole blueberries
Warm honey or maple syrup in fry pan; then add oranges or blueberries. To serve, place 1 or 2 wild rice fritters on plate and top with salmon fillet. Drizzle with glaze or a squeeze of grilled lemon.
These mildly spiced salmon tacos served with sweet and spicy pumpkin seeds will bring a party together. Make a small quantity of salmon go further when you pair it with a fresh red cabbage slaw featuring citrus and cilantro. Drizzled with some bright lime yogurt, the flavours come together perfectly. Sustainability status Wild salmon from the Pacific Northwest and Alaska are considered among the most sustainable, as the fishery is subject to limited harvests. With salmon stocks in decline, supporting managed fisheries such as these can help maintain populations into the future. That may also mean eating salmon less often than we do now. Salmon is a favourite Salmon is the most popular variety of fish in Canada and the second most popular in the US.
B12-rich mussels are a very good and economical source of protein and iron. Steamed mussels are a classic way to enjoy seafood—and so is this rich, aromatic broth of tomato, fennel, and saffron. Be sure to allow saffron to fully infuse to get the full flavour benefit, and finish off the dish with the fragrant fennel fronds. Sustainability status Farmed mussels are considered highly sustainable due to their low impacts on the environment. They are easy to harvest, require no fertilizer or fresh water, and don’t need to be fed externally, as they get all their nutritional requirements from their marine environment. Mussel prep Selection: Look for mussels with shiny, tightly closed shells that smell of the sea. If shells are slightly open, give them a tap. Live mussels will close immediately. Storage: Keep mussels in the fridge in a shallow pan laid on top of ice. Keep them out of water and cover with a damp cloth. Ideally, consume on the day you buy them, but within two days. They need to breathe, so never keep them in a sealed plastic bag. Cleanup: In addition to being sustainable, farmed mussels tend to require less cleaning than wild mussels. Most of the fibrous “beards” that mussels use to grip solid surfaces will have been removed before sale. But if a few remain, they’re easily dispatched: grasp the beard with your thumb and forefinger and pull it toward the hinge of the mussel and give it a tug. Afterward, give mussels a quick rinse and scrub away any areas of mud or seaweed, which, with farmed mussels, will require minimal work.
The delicate flavour of shrimp is highlighted with just a touch of lemon and a hint of mustard, while radish and celery give some fresh crunch to this dish. Eat it in lettuce cups, on top of greens, or served on whole grain bread for a filling snack. Sustainability status Both wild and farmed shrimp can be sustainable depending on where they’re caught and how they’re raised. See our article “Sea Change” for more information about choosing ethical shrimp.
Steaming fish in parchment-paper packets, also known as cooking en papillote , is a classic technique that allows you to cook all your vegetables and fish at the same time in a quick, easy, and convenient way. Flavours of lemon, garlic, and spicy dried chili make this a simple, yet showstopping meal. Sustainability status Wild-caught Pacific halibut has Ocean Wise and Marine Stewardship Council certifications and is fished using longlines, which is a more selective method of fishing that results in less bycatch. Prep party Involve family or guests in the prep and have everyone make their own packet. Once you’ve mastered the technique, it’s easy to change up the ingredients. Make sure you select vegetables that will cook at the same rate as the fish.