It has often been said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. This couldn’t be more true on Father’s Day, which is right around the corner. Father’s Day is the day to show our appreciation for Dad and the best gift you could give him is a full stomach. After all, a great meal is the perfect way to let him know how much he means to you. When it comes to making a Dad-approved dinner, there’s no need to get too fancy or complicated in the kitchen. Grilled meats, potatoes and a cold beer or a glass of wine make the ideal kickback for sharing fond memories with loved ones. Simple, flavorful, no-fuss recipes is what all dads can appreciate and we’ve got the perfect ones for you!
Impressing Dad will be a cinch this year with our Cedar Plank Salmon. We’ll guarantee you that this is some of the best salmon Dad will ever have. Fresh salmon rubbed with herbs, tangy Dijon mustard and grilled on a block of cedar plank is the ultimate way to celebrate Father’s Day. Plank grilling is a technique used by the Native Americans to roast wild game and fish. The smokiness of the cedar slowly infuses with the salmon, giving the meat an unforgettably intense flavor and aroma. To accompany this delicious main dish, we’ve also paired it with a couple of our recommended side dishes and wines.
Cedar Plank Salmon
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 12-inch untreated cedar planks
- 2 salmon fillets, 1 and 1/2 to 2 pounds total
- 2 Seedless Lemons, sliced
- 5 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
- Salt
- Pepper, freshly ground
- Fresh Baby Dill
1. Soak the cedar plank with salt water for 2 hours. After it’s been immersed for 2 hours, drain the water and set the plank aside.
2. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
3. Rinse the salmon under cold water. Pat it dry with paper towels.
4. Spread the Dijon mustard on both sides of the salmon. Add the brown sugar. Then, sprinkle with a generous amount of salt and pepper.
5. Place the slices of seedless lemons across the salmon. Tear the dill and sprinkle on top of the salmon.
6. When the grill is hot enough, put the plank on the heated grates and allow it to heat up for around 3 minutes. Once heated, turn the plank to the other side.
7. Place the salmon skin side down onto the plank. Cover the grill and cook the salmon on the plank for around 15 minutes. If the plank gets too hot, you may check on it and spray it with a little water to keep it from burning.
8. Once the salmon is cooked, set the plank aside and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before serving it. Garnish with fresh dill.
Side Dishes
Couscous with Grilled Vegetables
Couscous is a wildly popular side dish to serve alongside salmon. Our packaged Couscous comes with a seasoning packet and is light, fluffy and nutty. This recipe is efficient and makes putting together your Father’s Day dinner quick and easy. While the salmon is cooking on the plank, you can also grill Dad’s favorite vegetables on the side. The final step? Serve the salmon on top of a bed of airy couscous and smokey grilled organic asparagus, organic bell pepper and organic zucchini.
Oven Roasted Salt and Malt Vinegar DYPs™
When it comes to keeping Dad happy at dinnertime, look no further than a simple yet satisfying dish of roasted potatoes. Any roasted vegetable pairs beautifully with salmon but potatoes in particular are always an appetizing treat. Our creamy, buttery Dutch Yellow Potatoes get the star treatment with a delicious dressing of malt vinegar, salt and pepper. The result is an understated yet tantalizing potato side dish that will have Dad coming back for seconds.
Wines
Cedar Plank Salmon and Chardonnay make an exquisite pairing.Though Chardonnay may easily overshadow more milder whitefish, salmon holds up well to its powerful flavors and buttery texture. The 2011 Hanzell Chardonnay is a full-bodied white wine that boasts aromas of lime zest, pear, vanilla and Seville orange, which is combined with notes of clove, wet stone, lemon verbena and toast. Its rich texture makes a fine accompaniment to the cedar roasted salmon, as well as other roasted seafood dishes such as halibut and swordfish.
Quivet Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Tench Vineyard 2013
Crisp, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc is another fine white wine to pair with salmon. The 2013 Quivet Cellars Sauvignon Blanc is very fruity with flavors of crisp Asian pear, lemon rind and a finish of passion fruit, kiwi and honeycomb. Its floral aromas, with just a hint of clementine, and natural acidity will help bring out the lemony taste in this Cedar Plank Salmon recipe. This is a fine wine to sip on, especially at the summertime by the poolside or at an outdoor party.
How do you plan to celebrate Father’s Day this week? What are your Dad’s favorite recipes?