Sockeye and Mushroom Gremolata on Cedar Planks and Alder Wraps: Guest Recipe by Kara Berlin

This recipe was crafted by Kara Berlin of Thunder's Catch.

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 3-4

Ingredients:
For the Mushroom Gremolata:

• 1 lb Mixed Mushrooms (I used ¾ Shitake, ¼ Crimini)
• 2 T. shallots, minced
• 2 t. garlic, minced
• 2 T. fresh Italian parsley, chopped
• ½ t. fresh rosemary , chopped (+ 2 more whole sprigs in the alder wraps)
• ½ t. fresh thyme, chopped (+ 2 more whole sprigs in the alder wraps)
• 3 T. olive oil
• 3 T. balsamic vinegar
• 2 t. fresh lemon juice
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 Wildwood Grilling Alder Wraps

For the Salmon Rub:

• 2 T. brown cane sugar
• 1 t. smoked paprika
• 1 t. sea salt
• ½ t. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 t. fresh thyme

For the Salmon

• 1 Whole Fillet Wild Sockeye, thawed
• 1 Wildwood Cedar Plank
• Olive oil
• 1 lemon, cut in half (optional)
• Few sprigs of thyme (optional)
• Salmon Rub (Above)

Directions:

For the Mushroom Gremolata:

1. Make the mushroom gremolata first so you can sit down to enjoy the salmon as soon as it comes off the grill. The gremolata is so bright, so fresh that I like to make this first (or even a few hours ahead of time) and put it in the fridge to serve chilled. 
2. Place the mushrooms in a bowl. Dress with a glug of olive oil and balsamic vinegar – about 2T oil, 2 T vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste. 
3. Place directly onto the grill on medium heat. Grill for 5 minutes so the edges of the mushrooms start to darken to a crisp and the balsamic vinegar caramelizes. Remove from the grill. (This step is 100% optional, but I love the texture of the mushrooms to have a bit of a caramelized crisp. If you’re impartial, skip this and proceed to step 3.)
4. Divide the grilled mushrooms in half and place inside your two, pre-soaked Wildwood Alder Wraps. Add 1 sprig of rosemary, and 1 of thyme to each wrap. Roll up, and tie with string. Place back onto the grill for 5-10 minutes, enough for the alder to become aromatic with the mushrooms. Remove from grill. 
5. On medium heat with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, sweat the minced garlic and shallots so they soften and become fragrant (about 5 minutes).
6. Meanwhile - while the garlic and shallots are sweating - chop the fresh thyme, parsley, and rosemary. Then, untie the alder-wraps, and thinly slice the mushrooms. 
7. Remove the garlic and shallots from heat.
8. Place the sliced mushrooms, garlic and shallots, and fresh herbs in a medium bowl. Add fresh lemon juice and balsamic vinegar, and gently toss to mix. 
9. Chill in fridge until salmon is done, or make ahead and chill for up to 4 hours. 

For the Salmon:

1. Fire up the grill.
2. Mix up your salmon rub in a small bowl. Place the thawed Wild Alaska Sockeye fillet on your Wildwood Cedar Plank, skin-side-down. Put the entire rub onto the red flesh of the salmon, and gently pat so the oil from the salmon absorbs the rub. Brush a bit of olive oil on top of the salmon and the rub.
3. Garnish with a few fresh sprigs of thyme, and place the entire plank with the salmon onto the grill. 
4. Halve the lemon, and place cut-side down, directly onto the grill’s grates for marks - about 2 minutes. Remove from the grill, and place aside the salmon on the plank.
5. Continue grilling the salmon, covered, until done – for a total time of about 10-15 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the salmon. The flesh should be not-yet-opaque in the center. I grilled this on the shorter end of 10 minutes total. 

To serve, plate the sockeye and garnish each portion with a generous amount of the mushroom gremolata on top, and even more on the side. Share the grilled lemon halves, and squeeze liberally. This dish is perfectly accompanied by parmesan polenta, a garden harvest salad, and – of course – paired with your favorite Pinot Noir.

Kara is a fisherman and Co-Founder of Thunder’s Catch Seafood, owned and operated out of Sandpoint, Idaho. When she’s not fish mongering her Alaskan salmon, she’s likely hiking uphill, skiing down it, or off searching for the most authentic local cuisine while traveling abroad.

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