Salmon is one of the tastiest fish to come from the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Indeed, you can also find salmon in the Great Lakes of Michigan as well as several other kinds of lakes all around the world. This global presence means that you can find a good salmon recipe almost anywhere in the world.

Salmon are born in fresh bodies of water and then migrate out to the ocean. When it is time to spawn, the salmon then return to fresh water for reproduction. It is said that salmon return to the same place where they were born. Salmon, more often than not, have a pretty pinkish tinge to the inner flesh of the fish. This pink color is not the normal white color of salmon. The color can be blamed on the shrimp that salmon eat. Most wild caught salmon will have this color. As for farm raised salmon, their fish feed is laced with astaxanthin, the same chemical that turns shrimp pink. Most people prefer a pink flesh salmon for their favorite salmon recipe.

Salmon Recipe Preparations

Salmon is a relatively firm flesh fish which makes it a candidate for a good grilling salmon recipe. There is something about cooking over an open flame that brings out the wholesome flavor of the fish. Of course, there is something to be said for pan searing a salmon fillet to retain the entire fish flavor as well as seal in the juices for moisture.

You might find a salmon recipe or two that requires boiling this fish. Boiling does not retain the flavor as much as baking or broiling and is typically done just to cook the fish so that it can be flaked or shredded for seafood salads or even croquettes.

Because there are a number of varieties of salmon out in the oceans, your salmon recipe will dictate what cut of fish you are planning to cook. Fillets generally will have the skin still intact on one side. This makes for easy smoking, grilling and baking. Steaks are firmer and more substantial against an open flame in the barbecue pit.

A Basic Baked Salmon Recipe

When it comes to baked salmon, choose your favorite cut of fish. Prepare a shallow baking pan and line it with foil, then lightly grease with a cooking spray or vegetable shortening. Don’t forget to pre-heat your oven to 425?F.

Ingredients

Olive oil

Seasonings (choose from a particular cuisine like Mexican or Italian)

Minced Onion

Minced Garlic

In a small bowl, pour enough olive oil to adequately coat the fish on both sides. Mix in with the olive oil your favorite spices. Choose basil, oregano, marjoram and minced garlic for an Italian flair of this salmon recipe. For a Mexican flair, add a little freshly chopped cilantro along with a little oregano along with chipolte pepper, comino and minced garlic.

Once all of the spices and the olive oil have been mixed together, you will want to place your salmon in the baking pan. Spread the olive oil mixture on the top of the fish and bake for approximately 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filet. Your salmon recipe is done if you can easily flake the fish with a fork.