Kickstart Summer with Salmon Skewers and Salad

Summer is in full swing, making it the perfect season to fire up the grill. and indulge in mouthwatering recipes. Discover our unique take on salmon skewers paired with a refreshing summer salad. Join us as we guide you through crafting this delectable meal, blending a medley of flavors, textures, and aromas. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or enjoying a quiet evening at home, this recipe promises to be a hit. The combination of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors makes it perfect for those warm summer nights.

Brining the Salmon for Flavorful Perfection

To begin, we will brine the salmon in a delightful mixture of soy sauce and brown sugar, allowing the rich flavors to permeate the fish. Next, we will prepare a sticky glaze for the salmon and a vinaigrette for dressing. We will then skewer the salmon and grill it while basting with the glaze.

Crafting a Crisp Summer Salad

While the skewers are grilling to perfection, we’ll prepare a crisp summer salad featuring mixed greens, tangerines, thinly sliced apple, cucumbers, and an Asian inspired vinaigrette dressing that complements the savory salmon beautifully. This salad not only adds a refreshing element to the
meal but also balances the rich and robust flavors of the skewers.

Grilling Tips for Perfect Salmon

We’ll also share tips on grilling techniques to achieve perfectly cooked salmon with a slightly charred exterior and a tender, flaky interior. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to create a summer feast that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

Let’s Get Grilling!

So, grab your grilling tools, gather your ingredients, and let’s embark on this culinary adventure together!

Step 1 – Brining for Perfect Salmon

Why Brine?

Brining the salmon is a crucial step to ensure it’s juicy and flavorful. By soaking the fish in a simple saltwater solution, brining changes the fat on a molecular level, resulting in a more tender texture. This process not only enhances the moisture retention but also infuses the salmon with a subtle seasoning, making each bite exceptionally delicious. Whether you’re grilling, baking, or pan searing, taking the time to brine your salmon will elevate your dish to a new level of culinary excellence.

Brining for Perfect Salmon

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Ingredients

2 Lbs Center Cut Salmon 2 lbs or ½ lbs per serving
Cut salmon into 1 inch cubes
5 Cups Filtered Water
3 Tbsp Kosher Salt
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce Or tamari or coconut aminos
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar

Instructions

Mix: In a large bowl, mix the filtered water with kosher salt, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Stiruntil dissolved.
Brine the Salmon: Submerge the salmon nuggets in the brine. Cover and refrigerate for upto two days—the longer, the better to enhance flavor.
Rinse: Once brined, rinse the salmon under cold water to remove excess salt.

Step 2 – Prepare Sauce for the Perfect Glaze

Glazing the Salmon

The caramelized sticky sauce not only adds a delectable sweetness but also enhances the overall flavor profile with its rich, deep notes. It perfectly complements the dish, making each bite an explosion of irresistible taste and texture.

Sticky Sauce for Salmon Skewers

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Ingredients

2 Oz Orange Juice
1 Tbsp Sriracha
2 Tbsp Honey
½ Tsp White or Rice Vinegar
White Pepper to Taste

Instructions

Reduce: In a saucepan, combine orange juice, sriracha, honey, and vinegar. Cook over medium heat until the sauce reduces by half, reaching your desired thickness. Add white pepper to taste.

Step 3 – Crafting the Asian Vinaigrette

Ingredients for the Vinaigrette

To elevate our salad, we need a delectable Asian vinaigrette!

Asian Vinaigrette

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Ingredients

¼ Cup Avocado Oil
1⁄3 Cup Seasoned Rice Vinegar
2 Tbsp Honey
3 Tbsp Sesame Oil
1 ½ Tsp Soy Sauce Use gluten-free, reduced sodium if preferred
1 ½ Tbsp Peanut Butter
¼ Tsp Ground Ginger
¼ Tsp Garlic Powder
Pinch Salt

Instructions

Combine Liquids: In a bowl, whisk together the avocado oil, rice vinegar, sesame oil, andsoy sauce.
Add Sweetness: Mix in the honey and peanut butter until smooth.
Season: Add ground ginger, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until all ingredients arewell combined.

If desired, the sauce can be prepared beforehand and refrigerated until ready to use. This saves time on grilling day and allows flavors to meld, intensifying the glaze. Store the sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate. Reheat gently before glazing the salmon skewers.

Similarly, the Asian vinaigrette can be prepared ahead. This enhances flavor, creating a more robust dressing. Store the vinaigrette in an airtight container and refrigerate. Shake or stir to re-emulsify before use. Preparing the vinaigrette in advance saves time and ensures the salad dressing is ready, making summer salad assembly quick and effortless.

Step 4 – The Perfect Base Salad by Jaclyn Barber

Fresh Ingredients for a Vibrant Salad

The foundation of our summer dish is a crisp and colorful Asian-inspired salad. The freshness of the salad ingredients pairs perfectly with the rich and flavorful salmon skewers. The herbs add a fragrant note, while the tangerine segments provide a juicy sweetness that balances the dish.

The Perfect Base Salad

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Ingredients

Egg Soft boiled
Spring Mix
Carrots Julienned
Cucumber Sliced
Radishes Sliced
Tangerine or Mandarin Segments
Fresh Herbs like Mint, Basil, and Cilantro

Instructions

Boil Eggs: To prepare soft-boiled eggs: bring water to a boil, simmer eggs for 6 minutes,transfer to an ice bath for 5 minutes, peel, and serve
Wash and Prep: Meanwhile, rinse the vegetables thoroughly. Peel and julienne the carrots,then use a mandolin to thinly slice the cucumber, apple, and radishes into rounds. Preparethe citrus segments and cut in half lengthwise.
Herbs: Finely chop mint, basil, and cilantro. Sprinkle them generously over the salad forthat extra burst of flavor.
Combine: In a large salad bowl, create a base with spring mix. Carefully arrange cucumber slices, julienned carrots, soft boiled egg and tangerine segments. Garnish with slivered almonds.

Step 5 – Bringing It All Together

Serving Suggestions

Once you have carefully arranged the prepared salad on a plate, place the glazed salmon skewers on top or beside it, depending on your preference for presentation. This arrangement not only looks visually impressive but also ensures that each bite offers a perfect balance of flavors, combining the freshness of the salad with the rich, savory taste of the salmon. For an added touch of indulgence, you can drizzle additional glaze over the skewers and sprinkle additional everything bagel seasoning if desired. Finally, complete the dish by drizzling the Asian Vinaigrette over the top, ensuring every component is perfectly seasoned and ready to be enjoyed.

Grilled Salmon Skewers

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Ingredients

Sticky Sauce

2 Oz Orange Juice
1 Tbsp Sriracha
2 Tbsp Honey
½ Tsp White or Rice Vinegar
White Pepper to Taste

Salmon Skewers

Salmon Filets Cut into nuggets
Wooden or Metal Skewers Soaked if wooden
Neutral Oil for Brushing Vegetable or canola oil
Sticky Sauce See above
Everything Bagel Seasoning For garnish

Instructions

Sticky Sauce

Reduce: In a saucepan, combine orange juice, sriracha, honey, and vinegar. Cook overmedium heat until the sauce reduces by half, reaching your desired thickness. Add whitepepper to taste.

Salmon Skewers

Skewer the Salmon: Thread the salmon nuggets onto the skewers.
Grill & Glaze: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook, turning occasionally for even cooking. While your salmon skewers are about 80% cooked on the grill, begin applying the sticky sauce using a basting brush. Brush each skewer generously with the sauce, allowing it to caramelize on the surface. Continue grilling and occasionally turning the skewers, adding more sauce as needed, until the salmon has a beautifully glazed and caramelized exterior.

Notes

Salmon, much like steak, can be grilled to different levels of doneness based on your personal preference. The key to achieving the perfect internal temperature is using a reliable meat thermometer. Here's a guide to grilling salmon to your desired doneness:

• Rare: For a rare finish, grill the salmon until it reaches an internal temperature of 120°F (49°C). The meat will be cool and slightly translucent in the center.

• Medium Rare: To achieve medium rare, continue grilling the salmon until it reaches an internal temperature of 125°F (52°C). The center will be warm and mostly opaque with a hint of pink.

• Medium: If you prefer medium doneness, grill the salmon until it hits an internal temperature of 130°F (54°C). The flesh will be fully opaque with a tender and moist texture.

• Medium Well: For medium well, aim for an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). The salmon will be firm with little to no translucency.

• Well Done: For well done, continue grilling the salmon until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). The meat will be fully cooked through and somewhat firm.

Creating a summer dish that impresses doesn’t have to be complicated. With our Asian-inspired salmon skewers and fresh salad, you have a recipe that’s both delicious and easy to prepare. This dish not only highlights the best of summer produce but also brings an exotic twist to your regular grilling recipes. Ready to elevate your summer grilling game? Try out this recipe and share your culinary creations with us.

For more tips and personalized guidance, connect with our growing community of food enthusiasts and submit your own recipes here.

Happy grilling!

Table of Contents:

Kickstart Summer with Salmon Skewers and Salad

Brining the Salmon for Flavorful Perfection

Crafting a Crisp Summer Salad

Grilling Tips for Perfect Salmon

Let’s Get Grilling!

Step 1 – Brining for Perfect Salmon

Brining for Perfect Salmon

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 2 – Prepare Sauce for the Perfect Glaze

Sticky Sauce for Salmon Skewers

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 3 – Crafting the Asian Vinaigrette

Asian Vinaigrette

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 4 – The Perfect Base Salad by Jaclyn Barber

The Perfect Base Salad

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 5 – Bringing It All Together

Grilled Salmon Skewers

Ingredients

Sticky Sauce

Salmon Skewers

Instructions

Sticky Sauce

Salmon Skewers

Notes

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