Salmon with Honey-Garlic Marinade

Well this has certainly been a record-breaking winter in Northern Minnesota/Wisconsin area for cold weather and snow. I love living here, but this weather has snowed me into submission, and hibernation seems like the only logical conclusion until this current cold spell passes. The Governor of Minnesota has even cancelled school for the first time since 1994 for Monday due to cold temps.  I distinctly remember that day, as a twelve year old lass, and the fact that  we snowmobiled all afternoon in the field between ours and our best friends houses. Our faces were burned red, devoid of all sensation for days, but we seemed to have a good enough time. 

We are a rare and tough breed up in the North. While watching the national news about a winter storm on the East coast last night, I watched as  reporter wearing approximately $3,000 dollars worth of puffed up winter gear pointed at a wee 6-10 inches of snow on the ground in horror, then reported that it was to be a shocking -1 below zero the next day, and travel was not advised... I couldn't help but be a bit annoyed, as I look at the people of my fair low-middle class dominant city where a great deal of people are scurrying around in Wal-mart jackets and magic gloves to get to work or complete their jobs, merely remarking " Gee, it's a cold one!" And carrying on. It's estimated to be -33 below zero on Monday. We are a made of tough stuff, but  even so, I will be wishing I had a heated bubble to walk around in while running to and from work this week.

One way I'm passing the time indoors is by trying new recipes. It's easy when you find something you're comfortable making to stick with it all the time. For example, when I make salmon, I usually always make it the same way, with lemon and dill. While this is a delicious recipe, and one I know will turn out tasty, I'm making one my resolutions to come up with something new every week. This means  food blogs, Pinterest and my cookbooks are my best friend, and I decided to make a mish-mash of a few marinade recipes for salmon, and I wanted to share a real tasty one I originally intended for chicken, but tasted much better with salmon.

Salmon with Honey-Garlic Marinade

-2 T. brown sugar

-2 T. melted butter

-2 T. olive oil

 -2 T. honey

-2 T. garlic, minced

-1.5 T. soy sauce

-1 T. shredded ginger

-2 lbs. salmon fillets

Directions: Combine all ingredients and whisk until combined. Brush onto salmon and place in fridge 35 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake 20-25 minutes, until flakes off with fork.

*Serves 6

Subtle yet permeating, this marinade brings out the rich salmon flavors for just the right touch.

I served this with roasted brussel sprouts and carmalized onions with bacon, and it will be a delicious addition to the fish portion of my cookbook. And since fish is such an important part of a healthy food rotation, I'm glad to have more incentive to make it with new fresh ideas. Stay warm out there everyone!