McCormick Grill Mates Salmon Seasoning; 3-ounce bottle, $1.99

SPATULA UP

Jim Hillibish: It’s hard to improve on grilled salmon -- maybe a little lemon juice and fresh dill, but nothing else.

So what happens if you don’t have time to fire up the grill? Plan B is to open the shaker cap on McCormick’s Grill Mates Salmon Seasoning. This combination of salt, chili peppers, herbs, sugar and tomatoes includes “natural cedar smoke flavor.” It’s not a perfect substitute, but it can improve your pan-fried or broiled salmon steaks or fillets.

This powder is strong and highly aromatic, so a scant sprinkle will do. Remember that the main ingredient is salt. No extra is needed.

The smoke flavoring is similar to grilling salmon the en vogue way on a cedar plank. It’s pretty good on shrimp and other seafood, too.

You cannot hope to replace your grill with a bottle of this, but it will add a nice flavor to your stove-top efforts.

SPATULA UP

Jennifer Mastroianni: If you’ve ever tasted salmon roasted on a cedar plank, you know how delish it is. This spice isn’t an exact replica, but it is pretty close. Use it in a pinch or as a seasoning for shrimp and other seafood. 

Cedar boards for grilling can be found at gourmet food shops, houseware stores, and Lowe’s and Home Depot. If purchased from a hardware store, just make sure the lumber has not been treated with chemicals.

When baked on the plank, salmon bakes up moist with a distinctive smoky flavor. Once you try it, you may never grill salmon any other way.

Cedar-Plank Salmon

1 2-pound salmon fillet, skin on
1 cedar plank, soaked in water 20 minutes
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Preheat a gas grill to high; adjust to medium low after 15 minutes. (If cooking over charcoal, allow the coals to burn until they are covered with white ash.) Place the salmon skin-side down on the cedar plank.

Combine brown sugar, oil, thyme, and cayenne in a bowl. Spread over salmon. Place planked salmon on grill rack and cook, covered, about 40 minutes or just until the surface fat begins to turn white.

In the oven: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare the salmon as described above, then roast on the cedar plank for about 25 minutes.

(This recipe also works with salmon fillets; just adjust the time and checking for doneness.)

The Repository