Brine Formula: 2 1/2 tablespoons plain salt (without iodine) to 1 cup water.
Prepare a salt-water brine of 2 1/2 tablespoons plain salt for each 1 cup of water: Using approximately 1 quart of water; heat
water to just lukewarm. Add salt to the lukewarm water to make the brine; stir until dissolved. Add warm salt water to approximately 4 quarts cold water
(I use my sink as a bowl for this step).
Rinse the salmon steaks in cold water.
Place salmon, skin side down, in brine at for 20 minutes
(make sure the fish is entirely covered by the brine).
After 20 minutes, gently remove salmon from brine and lightly rinse both sides with cold water to remove all traces of salt; gently pat dry with paper towels.
Let salmon air dry on wire racks for at least 2 hours (this causes a "pellicle" - a tacky glaze
on the fish to form. This indicates that it is ready for the smoking process).
Prepare your smoker according to manufacturer's directions:
I have an
Electric Smoker (see photo on the left), and I like to use either alder or cherry wood (any hard wood will work
just fine). Smoking temperature of your smoker should be between 200 to 225 degrees F. (no higher).
The easiest way to help keep the temperature low, is to almost close down the vents. Keep the top vents wide open, and
use the bottom vents to adjust the temperature.
If you have a smoker that doesn't have any vents, cock the lid of the smoker so there will be a small gap (keep the gap
small enough to maintain the correct smoker temperature, while large enough to allow adequate airflow).
Do not open or raise the lid of the smoker any more than you absolutely need to (it reduces the temperature inside every time you do).
Monitor your temperature of your smoker during the smoke time.
Smoking the Salmon:
Place salmon fillets (skin side down) on sheets of aluminum foil and cut the foil
around the fillets approximately 1/4-inch bigger (this keeps the fillets from sticking to
the racks in the smoker). I also spray the racks with vegetable oil spray (makes for easier
cleaning).
Grate the zest from the limes then squeeze the juice. In a small bowl, combine lime
zest, lime juice, thyme (or other herbs), pepper, salt and olive oil; stir to mix. Rub the
seasoning mix on the salmon fillets; coating them well.
Place salmon fillets (with the aluminum foil) on the oiled smoker rack. Smoke until a
meat thermometer registers an
internal temperature of 140 degrees F. in thickest part of salmon (salmon will be slightly opaque in thickest part).
Avoid Over Cooking Smoked Salmon!
Remember the salmon continues to cook after it
is removed from the smoker (you don't want an overcooked and dried out salmon. I prefer a moist salmon
and not dried out.) Remove salmon fillets from smoker. The biggest mistake
most people make in cooking salmon is to over cook it. Resist the
temptation to over cook your salmon until it "flakes." Flaking indicates the
salmon is becoming dry and overcooked.
NOTE: If you do not have a good
cooking or meat thermometer, please purchase one and use it for cooking all your meats and fish! You will not be sorry!
This
is the type of cooking and meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking. I get many readers
asking what cooking/meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking and baking. I, personally, use the
Thermapen Thermometer shown in the photo on the right. Originally designed for professional users, the
Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is used by chefs all over the world. To learn more about this excellent
thermometer and to also purchase one (if you desire), just click on the underlined:
Thermapen Thermometer.
Cut extra lime in half and squeeze the juice over the cooked salmon fillets. Sprinkle lightly with more coarse salt. Serve salmon either warm, cool, or chilled
(refrigerate until ready to serve). If making ahead, cover airtight and refrigerate up to 3 days. I also freeze the smoked salmon fillets. Just freeze in air-tight bags.
Makes 4 to 6 servings (depending on size of salmon filet).
