Cedar Planked Wild Salmon with Pistachio Pesto

The light orange flavor in this nutty pesto is perfect over a cedar infused salmon fillet. You can find cedar planks at your local grocery store near the seafood counter, or in the accessories aisle. They usually come in a package of 3, and each can be used several times until they need to be discarded.

Prepare cedar planks by soaking in shallow water bath for at least 1 hour. For pesto, combine all ingredients together in a food processor and blend until a coarse pesto forms.

Pulse until pesto until mixture is finely diced.

Heat BBQ between 400°F-425°F (for first time use of plank, toast each side in hot BBQ for a few minutes to help impart the cedar flavor). Brush top of fish with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Lay fish skin side down onto plank and place onto center of BBQ grill, close cover and cook until flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (can be 15-25 minutes, depending on thickness of fillet).

Cedar Planked Salmon with Pistachio Pesto

Marla Hingley

The light orange flavor in this nutty pesto is perfect over a cedar infused salmon fillet.

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Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

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• 4 wildsalmon fillets about 1 lb
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 1-2 cedar planks

Pesto

• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 3 tsp orange zest
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup Parmesan grated
• 2 1/2 cups baby arugula or kale
• 1/2 cup shelled pistachios

Instructions

 

• Prepare cedar planks by soaking in shallow water* bath for at least 1 hour.
• For pesto, combine all ingredients together in a food processor and blend until a coarse pesto forms.
• Heat BBQ between 400°F-425°F (for first time use of plank, place plank on the grill in hot BBQ, close lid and toast it for a few minutes on each side to help intensify the cedar flavor).
• Brush top of fish with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Lay fish skin side down on plank and place plank onto center of BBQ grill, close cover and cook until flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (can be 15-25 minutes, depending on thickness of fillet).
• Spoon some pesto over each fillet and serve.

Notes

-To add more flavor to the cedar plank (which will impart more flavor into your food), add 1 Tbsp salt to the water, or white wine, apple cider or citrus juice.
-Plank can be used several times, until it is fully charred and starting to deteriorate.

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