Will she or won't she?

Lately I've been experiencing some of the same frustrations that the mom's of toddlers world over experience.... I spend a lot of time planning, shopping for and preparing wholesome meals for our family only to have my toddler eat a couple of bites of some things and say "no thank you" (she's so polite) to others. 


I recently noticed on her day care daily report that they had fish and she ate "all" of the serving. Hmmmm..... went my mommy brain, maybe that's something I can work with.  I bought a few wild Alaskan salmon filets from Farm Fresh and have had them in the freezer just waiting for the day when I would be inspired to make them for my hubby and baby. Well, my little ruby colored friends of Omega 3 goodness, today's the day!


I generally like salmon, I especially like wild pacific salmon, and can eat it in most any preparation and enjoy it. However, I REALLY like salmon when it's brushed with a glaze that's on the sweeter side. I love the way the sweetness in the glaze compliments the rich salmon flavor and any sweet charred bits are just a bonus.


Keeping in mind that my daughter LOVES OJ - no, I mean REALLY as in she would skip almost any other drink in lieu of OJ - I decided on a maple/OJ glaze with hints of other asian flavors - ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce, mirin and came up with a reasonable recipe. 




The Recipe:  Orange and Maple Glazed Salmon:   Fish that Even a Toddler will Enjoy (I hope)


1 cup good OJ - I used Simply Orange
1/2 cup good grade maple syrup
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
1/4 cup mirin
1 tsp minced ginger - I use the type in a jar and it works just fine!


Preheat grill on high 10 to 15 minutes (gas grill) or until coals are white.


Meanwhile measure all ingredients into a small sauce pan and place over medium heat. Cook stirring every so often until the mixture has reduced by half - watch it carefully as the maple syrup contains a great deal of sugar and it can boil over or begin to scorch - but before it turns to a carmel mess. This will take approximately 10 minutes.


Transfer 1/2 of mixture to a small bowl and keep the remaining amount in the sauce pan, you will need it later. In the meantime, prepare fish by:


2 salmon filets approximately 6-8" long
Salt / Pepper to taste
Smear each filet with the glaze that you've set aside above


Once your grill grates are very hot clean and oil them using a wad of paper toweling dipped in vegetable oil. Grill salmon skin side down for 4-5 minutes with grill hood closed. 


When salmon flakes easily and is just done in the middle, remove from the grill and brush with the remaining glaze. Allow salmon to rest for five minutes brush for a final time with the reserved glaze. I recommend using one brush or spoon on the raw salmon and then a clean one when the fish comes off the grill in order to avoid any contamination issues.


Serve with apple, raisin, barley salad.


The Results:  
Though she did not eat here small serving, my toddler did try it. In fact, I think she chewed her bites just long enough to get the taste of the glaze and then politely gave the chewed mess back to her father. Hubby and I really liked it though. The fish was cooked perfectly - thanks to my friend who recommended the grill technique I described above - and the slightly sweet, slightly salty glaze was a good compliment to the Salmon flavor. The glaze also set up well on the fillets and didn't remain too sticky, but instead sort of melded with the top layers of the fish and created a yummy fusion. In all, I think that this will become my go to Salmon recipe until I come across something that's even more yummy! Enjoy and please let me know if you try this recipe at your house!


~Hugs,
Lisa