At times I really struggle with life in the Pacific Northwest. While it is a beautiful part of the country that I have called home for many years there are seasons when I am reminded of another place, another stage of life, and I hear it calling. As Derby Day approaches, my thoughts turn to the beautiful Bluegrass State where I grew up. Remembering springtime on the banks of the Ohio, I can’t help but feel homesick.
At this time last year, my family traveled back to Kentucky to bask in that beautiful spring sunshine. That trip was everything we hoped it might be. The weather was warm, the air was fresh and the dogwoods were in bloom. We visited with family and friends. We remembered the things we loved about Kentucky and discovered things that were new and exciting. With a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment we flew home. Soon, however, that feeling faded and I felt worse than ever.
Shades of Gray
Back home, late winter really hung on tight in the Pacific Northwest.  It dragged its damp gray self right into June, and soon I was once again mired in its lightless wake. Trying to loosen its grip, I studied the beauty of gray. I made a long list of pretty words to describe the subtle variety of shades I found in the sky: steel, coin, silver, gunmetal, obsidian, flint, shale. I began to envision the gray horizon as an oyster’s shell. Within the rugged layers of the shell all that is rough and abrasive is bathed in a beautiful nacre. I thought of myself as that grain of sand, trapped inside. I wondered if time might transform my irritation into a shimmering pearl.
In late June the clouds began to break. Just as they yielded, we began a road trip to visit a few of the Pacific Northwest’s most notable destinations. Suddenly we slipped out of the gray and drove south beneath a limitless sky in one perfectly clear and glorious shade of Northwest Sky Blue.Â
From the road we enjoyed the unique beauty of the Pacific Northwest. At the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland we immersed ourselves in Northwest culture. At Crater Lake we marveled at the region’s pristine beauty. I was filled with awe as I admired the clear lake, the abundant stars, the colorful sunrise. In a flood of gratitude I remembered that it is incredibly gorgeous here in the Pacific Northwest and I am blessed to have the opportunity to call it my home.Â
Bourbon Pecan Salmon
So I write… and I remember. I give thanks, and I try to bring it all together into a meaningful whole. Sometimes the kitchen is just the place to do that. Rifling through my kitchen files I found a recipe I had torn from a magazine several years ago that made my mouth water remembering the distinctive flavors of those places I am from.
This is a recipe for Bourbon Pecan Salmon. Being a Kentucky girl, and enchanted with the unique Kentucky-ness of bourbon, I am one to cut out every unusual bourbon recipe I come across. This one, however, sounded strange. I just couldn’t get my mind around a salmon/sugar/bourbon flavor meld. Add to that, a big handful of Texas pecans and the whole thing hardly made sense to me.
Kitchen Chemistry
All the same, homesick and torn, I tried it. Soon I was delighted to find that the combination was wonderfully delicious! The bourbon offers a smoky depth of flavor while the apple cider and brown sugar lend a balancing sweetness. In the end the distinctively rich salmon flavor mellows into this inspired infusion and yields. The result is a perfect counterpoint to a crust of toasted pecans.
It was a satisfying realization that these distinctly regional ingredients, each representing a significant chapter in my life, could settle down together, each remaining true to it’s heritage and distinct in its flavor, and yet blend to complement each other so well. It gave me hope.
As I wrote when this blogging journey began –
” Cooking is about nurturing the future with roots that dig deeply into the past. Cooking is a channel for transmitting love, faith, understanding, pleasure, history, geography, culture, chemistry, art and adventure. The kitchen arts encompass metaphors for, and lessons that apply to, every aspect of life.”
This recipe is one I am sure to repeat often as I keep reaching out to share my journey with the world I am a part of now.
Bourbon Pecan Salmon
Course: Main DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings15
minutes25
minutes2
minutesIngredients
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup Kentucky bourbon
1/2 cup apple cider
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 1/2 pounds salmon
1 cup chopped pecans
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
Directions
- Combine the brown sugar, bourbon, apple cider and black pepper in a large Ziplock bag. Place the salmon fillet in the mixture and seal the bag, distributing the bourbon mixture to cover the salmon. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours turning the bag every hour or so to redistribute the marinade.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for approximately 5 minutes, or until they start to brown. Remove from oven and toss the pecans with the melted butter and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt.
- Coat the top of a broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Gently remove the salmon from the Ziplock bag reserving the marinade. P lace the salmon on the broiler pan, skin-side down, and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gently press the pecan mixture over the top of the salmon.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Meanwhile, bring the reserved marinade to a boil in a small saucepan. Continue to boil for 3 minutes. Spoon over salmon as desired.
Notes
- Recipe from the December 21, 2004 issue of Family Circle Magazine
Ryanb – I'd serve it with Lemon Pasta with Snow Peas and maybe crisp-tender petite whole green beans or Southern Style Green Beans. I think corn would also be a great side, plain with butter or maybe Pan Roasted Corn and Tomato Salad. For dessert I'd recommend Lemon Meringue Pie, Aunt Hen's Brownie Pie, or Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce.
I hope that helps. Thanks for stopping by!
this looks really good, any suggestions on what to serve it with?
Lisa.. that sounds fantastic, bourbon pecan, delicious, nice choice!
Thanks for a lovely heart felt post. I have been thinking of making a Bourbon salmon, so I am thrilled that I can try your recipe. I rode horses when I was younger, so have been to Kentucky….yes it is beautiful!
I think the combination sounds delicious! I think there is certain beauty in all parts of our country.
Okay, first of all the picture of the salmon made me salivate this morning. Second and most importantly your story line is very telling and quite heart wrenching. As you know, I totally know where you are coming from. Excellent recipe and article.
i’ve said it before, and i’m sure i’ll say it again, but you have a wonderful way with words. your posts are lovely, and this dish makes me think that one day i might actually be able to enjoy salmon. 🙂
Your salmon looks so light and tender. The flavors must be simply mouthwatering, I would love to try this salmon dish!
Maybe you had a case of the winter blues along with living in a new place and new climate. The salmon recipe and your picture of it are awe inspiring!
Alanna – I loved Virginia but it left less of a culinary mark on my life, maybe because I lived there for less than three years (and was pregnant for a third of that time) or maybe because it is much like Kentucky in its regional influences.
Mary – Hi! Thanks for the vote of confidence!
Minta – Glad you stopped by! If you try it I think you’ll like it.
Nobel Pig – I think it was the sugar in the recipe that I was skeptical of, forgetting that, as in the Mint Julep Brownies, the bourbon and the sugar balance each other and leave a depth of flavor without the more prominent qualities of either on its own.
Ivy – Thanks. Your comments always make me smile!
Great idea! Salmon is so good for you and I love having different and delicious ways to prepapre the fishie. Have a lovely day!
It’s interesting that your first thought was to think the ingredients wouldn’t meld. When I saw the title I instantly thought what a great combo. I would love to try this.
And those brownies were to die for.
You know, with bourbon and cider, I just may be able to like salmon… I’m going to give this recipe a try. Thanks! It does seem fitting for derby week.
It will get easier. Life is what you make of it. Your recipe is lovely.
And Virginia?