Salmon, Cedar Plank-Grilled with Garlic, Lemon & Dil

1239382036.196087 large

Servings/Yield: Makes 8 6-ounce servings

Ingredients

  • 1 whole fillet of salmon, about 3 pounds, skin on, scored (up to but not through the skin) into serving pieces
  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced (generous 1 Tb.)
  • ¼ cup minced fresh dill
  • 2 tsps. salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest, plus lemon wedges for serving

Method

  1. Soak an untreated cedar plank (or planks) large enough to hold a side of salmon (5 to 7 inches wide and 16 to 20 inches long) in water, weighting it with something heavy, like a brick, so it stays submerged 30 minutes to 24 hours.
  2. When ready to grill, either build a charcoal fire in half the grill or turn grill burners on high for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix oil, garlic, dill, salt, pepper and lemon zest; rub over salmon and into scored areas to coat.
  3. Place soaked cedar on hot grill grate, close lid and watch until wood starts to smoke, about 5 minutes. Transfer salmon to hot plank, move salmon off direct charcoal heat or turn burners to low, and cook covered until salmon is just opaque throughout (130 degrees on a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest section) 20 to 25 minutes or longer, depending on thickness and grill temperature. Let sit 5 minutes; serve with lemon wedges.
© Jay Deitch 2013