Salmon, one of Nature's Perfect Creations!

Do not care how you prepare it - I will eat it. Sushi - yum. Smoked, (especially my dad's recipe!) with a little cream cheese - YUM. BBQ'd, with Port Orchard Yacht club recipe - YUM. "That's a Some Italian" (my friend Tom's restaurant in Poulsbo) recipe, orange ginger glazed - double YUM!

Start with GOOD salmon, not Atlantic Farm Raised (if you can help it!). We are soooo lucky in the Northwest to have an abundant supply of King, Coho, Silver and, of course, my favorite that we only see in the spring - Copper River Salmon from British Columbia.

By the Way...if you haven't ever experienced Pike Place Fish - hope that you can one day on a visit to Seattle! Here's their site: Pike Place Fish

Last week made dinner for Alex (21 year old kiddo!) and decided to splurge on Copper River since we only have it once a year.

Copper River Salmon with basil and sun dried tomato butter.

VERY simple recipe - can be done on the bbq in foil tent, or baked in the oven.

Step One: Preheat oven 350 degrees

Step Two: Line pan with foil, and spray Olive Oil on foil

Step Three: Salmon, skin side down in pan

Step Four: Make the butter!

1. 1 cube butter, softened

2. 2 tablespoons fresh chopped up basil - doesn't have to be fresh, but at this time of the year, we have such an abundance and so easy to find at your local farmer's markets.

3. scoop of sun-dried tomatoes to taste

4. 3-4 cloves fresh garlic, minced or pressed in garlic press

Mix all of these ingredients together to taste, or add your own! (Oregano, thyme, rosemary, whatever..), then spread generously on top of salmon.

Step Five: Pop in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Do NOT overcook - dried out salmon is the worst!

Step Six: Serve and enjoy!

To go with your salmon? Fresh corn on the cob, white corn is my favorite cooked with just a pinch of sugar in the water. Maybe a pasta salad with red/yellow peppers and fresh tomatoes, or whatever else you can find in the garden! Don't forget dessert - so many choices in the summer. My favorite? Strawberry shortcakes with fresh hot sweet biscuits and a dollop of your favorite yogurt, I like blueberry.

Enjoy the weekend! For more salmon recipes and ideas - try browsing my friends at Liberty Bay Books webpage: simply search Salmon Cookbooks