A Seasonal Salmon Primer

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Add salmon to the long list of foods Americans have mostly lost touch with in terms of seasonality.

It's an understandable lapse. After all, salmon certainly seems to be available all year. And indeed, farmed Atlantic salmon is available fresh all year. Even wild species are available pretty much whenever a hankering strikes, albeit mostly frozen and canned. But wild salmon at its peak — about 90 percent of which comes from Alaska — indeed has a season.

Fresh wild salmon — with a firm flesh and rich flavor tinged by the cold ocean — is best had from late spring through early fall. And it certainly is worth seeking out, for it has about as much in common with farmed salmon as wild, earth-ripened morels have with canned mushrooms.

Thanks to its versatility with other flavors, its ease and speed of cooking, as well as a wave of good news about its healthy fats, salmon has become one of America's go-to seafood choices. In 2013, Americans consumed 2.7 pounds of salmon per person, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service, making it the country's second favorite seafood after shrimp. It even bumped canned tuna to No. 3.

Americans eat more farmed than wild salmon, and nearly all of it is imported. Farmed salmon enjoys the advantage of being available fresh in supermarkets as consistently as steak and chicken. Its flavor is mild and filets are affordable. But advocates of wild salmon praise its flavor and its provenance as an American fish. Salmon was a staple of early Native Americans.

While many consumers tune in to where their food comes from, even the savviest shoppers likely don't realize that wild Alaskan salmon boasts five varietals: king, sockeye, coho, keta and pink. Each has a distinctive flavor profile and preferred preparations. To get you ready for summer, we've assembled a primer on wild Alaskan salmon, complete with tips and recipes for each variety.

Pink Salmon 

With a delicate flavor, rosy pink flesh and a texture similar to trout, pink salmon offers a blank canvas for sauces and other flavorings. Pink salmon is extremely lean, with soft meat and a small flake.

As with keta, pink salmon benefits from fat and dairy to mellow it out. The roe also is used for sushi.

Recommended preparations: quiche; salmon burgers; sauteed

Often found: Shows up often in the frozen food section as salmon burgers; salmon salad sandwiches; as sushi (ikura).

Available: Year-round in cans, pouches and frozen; fresh mid-June through September.

PINK SALMON CAKES ON SOURDOUGH WITH LEMON-HERB AIOLI

Start to finish: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

2 egg yolks

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme

1 tablespoon minced fresh savory

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

9 tablespoons olive oil, divided

2 large shallots, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons drained capers

1 pound pink salmon, fresh or canned, chunked or chopped

1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

All-purpose flour, for dusting

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Sliced cucumbers

4 thick slices toasted sourdough bread, to serve

 To make the aioli, in a small bowl whisk together the egg yolks, mustard, thyme, savory, a pinch each of salt and pepper, and the lemon zest and juice. While whisking, slowly add 8 tablespoons of the olive oil, a dribble at a time. The mixture should be smooth and thick. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper, if needed. Refrigerate.

In a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the shallots, garlic and capers and cook until the shallots are tender and beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, then add the chunked salmon and breadcrumbs. Gently mix.

Gently form the mixture into 8 patties, each about 2 1/2 inches round. Place some flour in a shallow dish, then one at a time set the salmon patties in the flour, turning to lightly coat both sides.

Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the patties, working in batches if necessary, and sear on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Arrange the salmon cakes on the toasted sourdough slices, topping with cucumber slices and dollops of the aioli. Serve immediately.

Nutrition information per serving: 690 calories; 430 calories from fat (62 percent of total calories); 48 g fat (6 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 180 mg cholesterol; 33 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 2 g sugar; 29 g protein; 660 mg sodium. 

Coho 

Coho, also known as "silver" salmon for its bright silver sides, offers a lighter, more distinctly flavored fish than king or sockeye. Coho's orange-red flesh is moderately fatty and flakes well.

Chefs suggest slowly poaching coho in olive oil for a softer textured fish.

Recommended preparations: grilled, broiled, sauteed, poached in oil or butter, and smoked.

Often found: Often smoked; in sushi as crispy salmon skin roll; as steaks, filets and whole at fish counters.

Availability: Year-round frozen; fresh mid-June through late October.

GRILLED COHO SALMON WITH SESAME CELERY RELISH

Always check salmon for bones. To do this, gently rub your hand over the flesh, going against the grain. The bones should be in a line running the length of the fish. Use tweezers or needle pliers to remove.

Start to finish: 20 minutes

Servings: 6

4 stalks celery, finely chopped

2 scallions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

Zest and juice of 1 lime

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, plus extra for brushing

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

2 pounds coho salmon, skin on

Toasted sesame seeds

Heat the grill to medium-high.

In a medium bowl, stir together the celery, scallions, garlic, lime zest and juice, and the toasted sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.

Brush the salmon on both sides with additional sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cook the salmonon the grill for 3 minutes per side, or until cooked to desired doneness. Serve with the celery relish and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

Nutrition information per serving: 250 calories; 100 calories from fat (40 percent of total calories); 11 g fat (1.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 90 mg cholesterol; 3 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 1 g sugar; 35 g protein; 290 mg sodium.

King Salmon

King salmon, also known by its Native American name “chinook,” earns the title. The largest of the Pacific salmon, a single king can weigh more than 100 pounds, though typically they’re landed at 20 to 30 pounds. King salmon is prized for its silky red flesh, buttery texture and for a high oil content that gives it a luxurious flavor.

King salmon from Copper River in south-central Alaska are among the first salmon commercially harvested in the state each year, and among the first to show up fresh in stores. King salmon run for three or four weeks from mid-May to mid-June.

Recommended preparations: The king’s high oil content makes it tolerant of any preparation from grilling to poaching. Regardless of how it’s cooked, chefs say to go easy on the seasonings; let the fish speak for itself.

Often found: You’ll see it most often in sushi; at the center of a restaurant plate; and as steaks, fillets and whole fish at fish counters.

Availability: Can be found fresh and frozen throughout the year, but fresh peaks mid-May to July.

SEARED KING SALMON WITH LEMONGRASS PORCINI JUS

Always check salmon for bones. To do this, gently rub your hand over the flesh, going against the grain. The bones should be in a line running the length of the fish. Use tweezers or needle pliers to remove.

Start to finish: 20 minutes

Servings: 6

6-inch piece lemon grass

2 cloves garlic



1-inch chunk fresh ginger

1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms

1 small yellow onion, quartered

4 cups water

2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 pounds king salmon, cut into 6 pieces

Fresh cilantro leaves

Flaked sea salt and ground black pepper

Use the back of a large knife or a meat mallet to mash the lemon grass to break up the fibers. Lightly smash the garlic cloves and the ginger.

In a large saucepan over medium-high, combine the lemon grass, garlic, ginger, dried mushrooms, onion and water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 15 minutes. Pour the mixture through a mesh strainer and discard the solids. Stir in the soy sauce. Set aside.

Heat a heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, over high heat. Add the oil and turn to coat the bottom of the pan. Sear the salmon for 1 to 2 minutes per side. Ladle the jus into shallow bowls, placing a piece ofsalmon in the center of each. Top with fresh cilantro, then season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Nutrition information per serving: 340 calories; 200 calories from fat (59 percent of total calories); 22 g fat (3 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 90 mg cholesterol; 4 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 1 g sugar; 32 g protein; 270 mg sodium.

Sockeye

Sockeye, also called red salmon, is known for its distinct, bright red flesh that retains its color even once cooked. It is prized for its firm, fatty meat, and its pronounced, yet versatile flavor. Though less buttery than king, many chefs say sockeye stars on the plate just as easily.

Sockeye takes well to added butter and other fats, chefs say, as well as to flavorful seasonings.

Sockeye is eaten for both its meat and for its roe, which is used as salmon caviar for sushi. Nearly all of the country’s sockeye comes from Alaska, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with the world’s largest harvest landing at Bristol Bay in the southwestern part of the state. Sockeye’s color and texture make it ideal for canning, but today more than half of the annual catch is sold fresh or frozen.

Like king salmon, the first sockeyes of the season usually come from Copper River and hit fish counters mid-May through mid-June.

Recommended preparations: Like king salmon, sockeye works with any preparation.

Often found: Most often see as lox; as the sushi salmon roe called “ikura;”at the center of the restaurant plate; and as steaks, fillets and whole fish at fish counters.

Availability: Year-round in cans, pouches and frozen; fresh from mid-May through mid-September.

BROILED SOCKEYE SALMON SALAD WITH BLUEBERRIES AND SWEET POTATOES

Always check salmon for bones. To do this, gently rub your hand over the flesh, going against the grain. The bones should be in a line running the length of the fish. Use tweezers or needle pliers to remove. 

Start to finish: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks

2 tablespoons olive oil

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard

1 teaspoon hot sauce

2 pounds sockeye salmon, cut into 6 pieces

3/4 cup blueberries

6 cups mixed greens

Balsamic glaze, to serve

Feta cheese, to serve

Fresh dill, to serve

Heat the oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with foil.

In a medium bowl, toss the sweet potatoes with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet and bake until tender and browned, turning occasionally, 20 to 25 minutes.

Once the sweet potatoes are cooked, remove them from the oven and heat the oven to broil. Spray another baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, mustard, hot sauce and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Arrange thesalmon pieces on the prepared pan and spread the brown sugar mixture over the top of each piece. Cook the salmon 4 inches from the broiler for 2 minutes, or until browned and cooked to the desired level.

Arrange 1 cup of greens on each serving plate. Top with a piece of salmon. Divide the roasted sweet potatoes among the plates, along with the blueberries. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with feta and fresh dill.

Nutrition information per serving: 360 calories; 150 calories from fat (42 percent of total calories); 17 g fat (3 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 100 mg cholesterol; 19 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 8 g sugar; 36 g protein; 400 mg sodium.

Keta

Keta salmon, also called chum, has pale orange, red or pink flesh and a pronounced flavor. These characteristics make keta a favorite for drying and smoking, as well as for chowders and curries. Chum has a lower oil content than other wild salmon and a meaty, firm texture. Keta roe also is used in sushi.

Recommended preparations: Low cooking temperatures and taming elements such as milk or smoke are recommended for this lean fish. Soups, chowders and curries are ideal.

Often found: Smoked; dehydrated; as jerky; in chowders, soups and curries; sushi (ikura); and as steaks, filets and whole at supermarkets.

Availability: Year round frozen; fresh, June through September. 

SMOKY KETA SALMON AND TOMATO CHOWDER

Always check salmon for bones. To do this, gently rub your hand over the flesh, going against the grain. The bones should be in a line running the length of the fish. Use tweezers or needle pliers to remove.

Start to finish: 40 minutes

Servings: 6

2 cups water

6 bags oolong tea

4 slices bacon, chopped

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon aleppo pepper flakes (or 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes)

3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced

28-ounce can diced tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted

1 pound keta salmon, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks

1 cup heavy cream

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

Bring the water to a simmer, then add the tea bags and remove from the heat and let steep for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and squeeze to extract any liquid.

Meanwhile, in a medium Dutch oven over medium-high, cook the bacon until crispy. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, leaving the fat in the pot. Add the onion, paprika, cumin and pepper flakes, then cook until the onion is tender and beginning to brown, 6 to 7 minutes.

Add the potatoes, tomatoes and tea. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Add the salmon and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through. Stir in the heavy cream and continue cooking just until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with the crisp bacon crumbles.

Nutrition information per serving: 470 calories; 270 calories from fat (57 percent of total calories); 30 g fat (14 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 105 mg cholesterol; 27 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 7 g sugar; 22 g protein; 660 mg sodium.