Cedar Plank Salmon with Asian Plum Sauce

I’ve done a few recipes for salmon over the summer but this one could not be resisted!  I had some plums from the farms and was able to get a great deal on this beautiful piece of wild salmon so it was a no brainer.

Cedar Plank Salmon with Asian Plum Sauce | Simply Fresh Dinners

Are you a big fan of plum sauce?  I love it but had never made it before.  It just wasn’t one of those things that occurred to me until I had an abundance of plums!  I thought it was time to spice up the  salmon so serrano peppers seemed like a good idea, too.  And wow – a great blast of heat with the juicy fruity flavours – a real winner!

I love that salmon is so easy to cook  and quick, too!  There are dozens of ways to flavour this delicious fish and it takes to so many spices and additives easily.   Even the plum sauce is super easy to make.   When I looked online for similar recipes, I read that many cooks had used plum preserves and if you’re in a hurry that’s ok but if you want to keep it super fresh – go for this!

Cedar Plank Salmon with Asian Plum Sauce | Simply Fresh Dinners

Some slivered almonds and sprigs of thyme fancies it up a little and fresh lime adds the finishing touch.

You could grill this just as easily so if you haven’t put your grill away for the season, I would use a double layer of tin foil and just lay it over the grill on medium-high heat.  If you want to do it directly on the grill, go for it.  I’ve had a few disasters with my expensive fish falling onto the burner so I’m not willing to do that again any time soon.   If you have any tips on how to avoid that, I’d love to hear it!  Hmmm, now that I think of it, I guess it’s time to get a fish basket!

Cedar Plank Salmon | Simply Fresh Dinners

The wild Alaskan salmon is especially pink in colour because they eat a lot of free floating crustaceans which are filled with carotenoids.  These little molecules show up as pigments over the tree of life.  Did you ever know a kid who turned orange from eating too many carrots? Carotenoids!  The farmed salmon are fed fish pellets that are the same colour as dog food so that’s why the flesh is quite dull.    If you see farmed salmon that is reddish pink, I would pass on it because it usually means it’s been dyed.  No, thanks!

If you love your salmon, buy the wild while you can over the summer months and freeze it – it’s good for up to 3  months and 6 months if you vacuum seal it.

I guarantee you’re going to love the fun flavours in this dish.  Cheers!

 

Cedar Plank Salmon with Asian Plum Sauce
Author: Robyn
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
  • 4 6 ounce salmon fillets, or 11/2 lbs whole salmon
  • 1 serrano pepper, sliced thinly
  • 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
  • 6-8 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 1 lime, cut into quarters
  • small handful of cilantro or parsley
  • salt and pepper
  • ASIAN PLUM SAUCE
  • 6-8 small to medium sized plums, halved, pits removed, cut into small chunks
  • 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (use gluten free to make this a gluten-free dish)
  • 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon raw honey
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 F
  2. Rinse salmon thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. Salt and pepper according to preference. Place each fillet on individual planks or whole salmon on large plank.
  3. Follow directions below for Asian Plum Sauce. Brush each piece thoroughly, coating well. Top with 3/4 of the almonds and 3/4 serrano pepper.
  4. Bake for 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145 F. (I basted again halfway through but it’s a matter of personal preference)
  5. Let rest for 5 minutes. Top with remaining pepper, almonds and fresh thyme. Serve with cilantro sprigs and lime on the side.
Asian Plum Sauce
  1. Combine all ingredients in medium sized saucepan on medium heat for 20 minutes. Stirring frequently.
  2. Use immersion blender or food processor to blend into a smooth sauce. Add a small amount of water if it needs thinning.

Cedar Plank Salmon with Asian Plum Sauce | Simply Fresh Dinners

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20 Comments

  • Reply
    mila furman
    October 5, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    Robyn! This looks so good! And how creative!!!! Plum and salmon?! I would never! Love that pic of the fish being flaked! Delish!
    mila furman recently posted…Gourmet Steak and Eggs SkilletMy Profile

  • Reply
    Karen (Back Road Journal)
    October 5, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    This is my first visit and I’m so glad that I stopped by for a visit. Love your salmon dish with the plum sauce…it sounds wonderful. I must also comment on the forks in the photo, they brought back nice memories as my mother had the same pattern.
    Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted…Was It Love At First Sight?My Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      October 6, 2015 at 10:01 am

      So glad you popped in, Karen! It really was a fun dish. I just recently found this silverware in our family home, tucked away in the basement. It belonged to my mother, too. I was thrilled to get them 🙂
      Robyn recently posted…Cedar Plank Salmon with Asian Plum SauceMy Profile

  • Reply
    Linda
    October 5, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    My kind of dish Robyn. I love salmon and lots of different seafood. Plum sauce is killer! Trying to get caught up on visiting blogs, since I was so busy for a week. Lots of love from W.W., xo
    Linda recently posted…Nicholson Blown Glass – PumpkinsMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      October 6, 2015 at 10:04 am

      I’m trying to get caught up too, Linda. Just when you think life couldn’t get busier, something else comes along, lol. I loved the plum sauce and couldn’t get over how easy it was to pull together. I can’t wait to see your latest post. I’m such a fan of your artists! Talk soon, WW. xoxo
      Robyn recently posted…Cedar Plank Salmon with Asian Plum SauceMy Profile

  • Reply
    Anita Rivera
    October 6, 2015 at 4:21 am

    GOod morning my dear dear friend! Late as usual, school is taking up a lot of my time. THIS LOOKS FANTASTIC! Your photos are lush and delicious themselves, and salmon is such a pretty fish! And I’ve turned orange too from too many peaches and sweet potatoes! I have never had plum sauce, but you sure make it sound good.

    Well my friend, must go. ENJOY YOUR DAY! Anita

    • Reply
      Robyn
      October 6, 2015 at 10:22 am

      You are such a busy lady, Anita, but I see you are still shooting some gorgeous shots for us on IG! I struggled with these photos but sometimes you just have to give in, lol.
      Oh my goodness, were you a child when you turned orange? lol
      The plum sauce was so yummy! Thanks for your visit, dear friend. xoxo
      Robyn recently posted…Cedar Plank Salmon with Asian Plum SauceMy Profile

  • Reply
    Linda
    October 6, 2015 at 6:33 am

    Robyn, this looks so tempting and delicious. We like plum sauce but I never thought of it really besides with Perking duck or mu shu pork! Going on my menu for this week. We try to have salmon at least ever other week so I am always on the look out for new healthy way to prepare it.
    Linda recently posted…Fusing and TransformingMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      October 6, 2015 at 10:24 am

      Oh, I hope you enjoy it, Linda. It’s definitely different than any other salmon dish but that’s what I loved about it. I think this would be lovely with roast potatoes and sauteed spinach. Let me know how it goes if you can 🙂
      Thanks for visiting!
      Robyn recently posted…Cedar Plank Salmon with Asian Plum SauceMy Profile

  • Reply
    Medeja
    October 6, 2015 at 7:31 am

    Sauce sounds incredibly delicious!

  • Reply
    John/Kitchen Riffs
    October 7, 2015 at 12:30 pm

    I’ve been away on vacation, and am so happy to be able to catch up on your recipes again! And what a beauty this one is — love salmon, and really like the idea of combining it with plum sauce. Good stuff — thanks so much.
    John/Kitchen Riffs recently posted…The Harvard CocktailMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      October 9, 2015 at 7:00 am

      September is the perfect time for a vacation. Hope you had a great time, John!
      Thanks for your kind comments – the plum sauce was different and fabulous 🙂 Thanks for visiting

  • Reply
    Heather @ Cook It Up Paleo
    October 19, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    My family needs to eat more fish; this looks like an awesome way to me to facilitate that; thanks for the recipe!
    Heather @ Cook It Up Paleo recently posted…Paleo Breakfast CasseroleMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      October 21, 2015 at 6:26 am

      Thanks so much, Heather. This was definitely a surprise…and a keeper 🙂

  • Reply
    Kristen @ The Endless Meal
    October 20, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    I love that you made your own plum sauce! We were actually talking today about making salmon with this plum sauce recipe that my guy makes, but I didn’t want all the sugar. This is so perfect!!
    Kristen @ The Endless Meal recently posted…How to Hide a Long Image in a Blog PostMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      October 21, 2015 at 6:20 am

      I can’t believe how easy the sauce came together, Kristen. And the combo of the flavor was wonderful. Very different than anything I’ve tasted before but I love switching up the ingredients with salmon. Thanks so much!

  • Reply
    Silvia @Garden in the Kitchen
    June 16, 2016 at 7:21 am

    Great recipe Robyn! I enjoyed learning the little facts about Salmon. Looks relish!!
    Silvia @Garden in the Kitchen recently posted…Spicy Veggie Burger (Vegan + GF)My Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      June 17, 2016 at 7:41 am

      So glad you enjoyed it, Silvia. I can’t seem to get enough of salmon 🙂

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