A few days ago I had a whole half salmon waiting for me when I arrived home. It seems that the Missus decided that she wanted "blackened salmon" for dinner. So I whipped up a real quick rub with Alaea, Sea Salt, Granulated Garlic, Togarashi, Cayenne, Paprika, Oregano, Fresh Cracked Pepper, Onion Powder, a touch of soy sauce, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
The one problem in our household is when you cook over high heat and sear, you'll be smelling the "essence" of what you cooked for several days afterwards floating around the kitchen. Enter the Big Kahuna! In addition to the 55,00 BTU, meaning you'll be able to get a good carmelization, you're outside, meaning the "essence of salmon" won't be floating around the kitchen for the rest of the week.
In addition, it's great for the "flambe-pyro maniac" that resides in me, when I add a bit of sake:
After the towering inferno is done, reduce the heat, and you get a nice crusted salmon, with a medium-well interior. Not to mention no fishy residue floating around the kitchen! To complete this "orange" meal, the Missus's latest obsession is Fuyu Persimmons:
It seems that this is the year of the Fuyu. I've seen posts from Japan to Guam to Hawaii! Usually the Missus enjoys Hachiya Persimmons, but I've been told that this has been a good year for Fuyus. This bunch is from Zion Market, and were a very bright orange, with no sun damage(black spots), and no "cracks".
You'd almost mistake them for tomatoes........
Anyone would think you were happy that you didn't have to cook the salmon inside Kirk :P
Posted by: clare eats | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 12:27 AM
Hi,
I found PlayBoy for FREE.
Absolutely FREE PlayBoy.
www.oxpe.net
If I find something else I'll inform you.
Best Regards, Yuriy
Posted by: yuriy | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 04:06 AM
Nobody reads PlayBoy anymore....dumbass.
Posted by: RONW | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 04:34 AM
Oooh, I love persimmons (fuyu, that is, I can't abide the snotty texture of the hachiyas). I think I am turning orange myself from eating so many of them.
Posted by: Angie | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 05:50 AM
Hi Clare - LOL! I was wondering were all the black spots on the kitchen ceiling was coming from!
Hi Yuriy - No thanks I eat enough of my own Spam in the morning!
Hi RONW - Yep, you're right - we got the Internet, who needs Playboy! I'm not going to delete the Spam, cause I love your comment!
Hi Angie - Actually the Missus loves(or used to love) Hachiya's - but we would have to find one's that were so soft, and treat them so carefully as to not break the skin. This year it's Fuyus for her!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 07:06 AM
Yup, nobody reads PlayBoy anymore, they just look at the pictures! =o)
KIRK! Seeing as how I'm suddenly an expert in just this matter (the lingering odors in the kitchen) you should check the vents to be sure they clean and air is flowing properly. You may need to replace your filters. If you got questions, email them and I'll pass them to Mike.
Posted by: Jo | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 07:44 AM
Kirk,
How interesting I am in the process of writing about my persimmon obsession this year. I love both kinds for different reasons. When I was sick with bronchitis my Mother wanted to know what I wanted to eat, and the sweet woman that she is box me a whole box of Fuyus and Hachiyas. I am still waiting for the Hachiyas to ripen, as I have only tasted on so far, but the Fuyus....Yum
Posted by: milgwimper | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 08:38 AM
Ok let me amend that I have posted on the persimmons...:)
Posted by: milgwimper | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 09:14 AM
Hi Jo - PlayBoy has pictures? Wow, I only read the articles.....hehehe. The "smell" is a combination of an ancient kitchen (circa 1960's) and the actual ultra-hot "sear". Wish I was getting a kitchen like Barbara:
http://www.tigersandstrawberries.com/
Hi Mills - This seems to be a "bumper year" for persimmons. I've been seeing them everywhere - and prices good to. As low as 49 cents a pound.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 09:28 AM
eww! fishy residue cooking odor! that's the kind of stuff that seeps into your clothes and because you live there you got used to the smell and can't smell it anymore after a few days but when other people smell you...yuck!
good thing you have that big kahuna cooker!
Posted by: Pam | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 02:41 PM
Hi Pam - You got that so right! eww!!!!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 06:36 PM
Hi Kirk,
OMG. The flame on that thing, it looks out of control. I haven't eaten salmon in a while (at home that is), and guess why...exactly for the reasons you mentioned.
This salmon looks delicious. I'm sure the missus enjoyed ever bite.
Posted by: Reid | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 08:43 PM
Hi Reid - Actually, I've done the alcohol thing many times, even indoors, but without such dramatic results. The high heat sure does make it quite a spectacle. The Missus did enjoy it. We did a taste comaprison with my simple rub against a well known brand (hint, Paul-something), and she liked the made from scratch better. And no lingering smell!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 08 December 2005 at 10:18 PM
I've never thought to use togarashi in a cajun style rub, but I'll bet it blended perfectly. I'm jealous of your Big Kahuna (no innuendo intended or implied).
Posted by: alan | Sunday, 11 December 2005 at 03:08 PM
Hi Alan - Togarashi works real good inmost rubs. And my Kahuna thanks you....
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 11 December 2005 at 05:25 PM