This is by far one of our favorite dishes. It is simple, easy and delicious.
3/4 lbs salmon fillet (with skin)
4 oz pesto (we cheat and use Christopher Ranch brand store bought pesto)
1 cedar plank
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
Soak the cedar plank in water for at least one hour.
Preheat the grill on high for approx 10 minutes or to approx 600°F.
Lightly season the salmon with salt pepper.
Place the salmon, skin side down, on the cedar plank and place the plank directly on the grill grate. Drop the grill to medium heat.
Let the salmon cook for 5 minutes. You will see some smoke from the plank.
After the 5 minutes, spoon the pesto over the salmon, covering it evenly.
Continue to grill for another 15 minutes on medium heat, until the salmon is flaky. That’s it, you’re done.
If the cedar plank catches on fire, it can usually be put out by smothering it with a grill spatula.
I like to bring the salmon, plank and all, to dinner table on a plate or a serving tray and serve directly from the cedar plank. The skin will stick to the plank, so be careful if you try to remove the salmon from the plank on the grill.
