I bought some Copper River Sockeye Salmon at my local Domick's for $11.99 a pound (with member's card). It was really great grilled. I served it with some grilled asparagus and basmati rice.

Instead of the quick cook over a moderately high fire, I tried out a slow-roasting method (~200 deg) that transformed the typically firm flesh into an almost custardy light texture that takes this rich fish's flavour over the top. I got a little nervous by about 12 mins into the roast but I think it would've benefited even more had I roasted it for another 5-7 mins. Anyways, a good run this season, CRS is everywhere for good dollar.

sockeye

Thanks.
Went to Costco in Mettawa, Rt 60 & 294, this AM.
In & out in 5 minutes.

Been cooking Copper River for yrs. Any suggestions for sides?
Putting on the grill tonight, looking for something new.

Once again thanks for the " heads up"

Wally Wade

walter wade wrote:Any suggestions for sides?

It's been such a great year for mangos, that I've been making mango salsa to serve along with the salmon. It's been a big hit with the Chow Poodle, who had previously declared her undying hate of mangos.

Thanks.

Wally Wade

Grilled salmon on Weber charcoal grill. Added a few apple wood chunks. Olive oil, salt, granulated garlic & lemon pepper.
Sides: fresh grapefruit slices and pretzel rolls. A bottle of wine.

Good eats.

Wally Wade

Looks like a good run this year - $9.99 at Costco (Pittsburgh). Had a couple of great meals already - smoking longer at lower heat on the cards (thanks, Nab)

I just got back from the Mount Prospect Costco where I got a beautiful bright red 1.65 pound filet for only $8.99/lb. They only had 5 filets left just after noon. At this price, they won't see the end of the day, I'd imagine.

The $8.99/lb price was through 6/8 at the Glenview Costco (if they even last that long). I grilled yesterday. It wasn't the most pristine piece of fish I've ever seen, but for the price it was very good and it tasted great.

sazerac wrote:Looks like a good run this year - $9.99 at Costco (Pittsburgh). Had a couple of great meals already - smoking longer at lower heat on the cards (thanks, Nab)

Funny, I was actually thinking of you, sazerac, as I marveled at the textural transformation with slow-roasting, thought to myself that you're probably teaching this bit of gastro-science in your class !

The Costco on Clybourn had whole copper river salmon for $5.99 today.

Purchased some at the Melrose Park Costco for 8.99/lb. Grilled it with a bit of Trader Joe's Island soyaki as a glaze and it was delicious.
LO

I also tried the slow-roasted method with my Copper River Salmon last night. The transformation, as tatterdemalion said, is quite remarkable. The salmon goes from being a very firm orange slab to a creamy peachy number by the end. It was difficult for me to tell when it was "done" as the Jacques Pepin recipe is timed for 3 lbs of fish and I had a 1/2 pounder. But he said it would take 35 - 45 minutes on 200 degrees and by golly he was right. (He's always right.) My indicator of doneness was when the fat started to ooze out, as shown here:



Dinner (sadly the filet came apart as I ravenously plated it up):


It was $19.99 / lb at Whole Foods. Wish I could find it for less in the Greater Boston area but still it was worth every penny.

Trader Joe's starting to get products from China.
Make sure to READ THE LABEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wally Wade

DutchMuse wrote:The Costco on Clybourn had whole copper river salmon for $5.99 today.

Yep, got some yesterday, which I will be slow-roasting/smoking in the WSM tonight

I discovered that slow-roasting thing a month or so ago when the DH let me know he would be late for dinner. I stuck the salmon and iron skillet I was in the process of searing into the toaster oven on "warm" and let it sit there, for something like 45 mins, and it was still utterly moist!

$14.99/lb - http://www.myfreshfarms.com/

Copper River Salmon fillets $8.99/lb at Niles Costco. More importantly they had non Costco size packs of single fillets.

G Wiv wrote:Copper River Salmon fillets $8.99/lb at Niles Costco. More importantly they had non Costco size packs of single fillets.

nice looking asparagus!!

walter wade wrote:Trader Joe's starting to get products from China.
Make sure to READ THE LABEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wally Wade

Wally, are you talking about products mark as Copper River Salmon from china? Or just "stuff" in general?

Great to see all the photos and prices of the Copper River Salmon! Looks like prices around us are pretty low and the Salmon is being sold all over in good stock. Saw the Dominicks by me still has it and has signs on the front doors informing you of it.

They are getting Pine Nuts from China. Seen a few articles where people bought them at TJ's and are getting adverse reactions from eating them. I think it was the Weekend Wall Street Journal.
On one of the CRS posts, someone mentioned seasoning the salmon with a bottle of something purchased from TJ's.
A lot of stores are cutting costs to make a profit. I'm not making any accusations. Just start checking labels and make sure.
That's how this starts, an item here & there.
I do not knowingly buy any food from China for myself or wife. Same goes for my dog and her food.

Wally Wade

walter wade wrote:They are getting Pine Nuts from China. Seen a few articles where people bought them at TJ's and are getting adverse reactions from eating them. I think it was the Weekend Wall Street Journal.
On one of the CRS posts, someone mentioned seasoning the salmon with a bottle of something purchased from TJ's.
A lot of stores are cutting costs to make a profit. I'm not making any accusations. Just start checking labels and make sure.
That's how this starts, an item here & there.
I do not knowingly buy any food from China for myself or wife. Same goes for my dog and her food.

Wally Wade

Agreed. Next thing you know you're watching the Red Army parade down Broadway in New York. Fucking TJs.

What you are seeing in regard to pricing is simply the economic market at work.
The first catch of true Copper River always sells at a premium to those that just must have it at any cost. Later catches sell for less as the demand slows but I suspect that there is actually much more 'Copper River' salmon sold than is ever actually caught and that 'Copper River' has become like Atlantic Salmon, purely an adjective with no legal or informational significance.
Sockeye is certainly easy to distinguish from other salmon and i have found even Sockeye being sold as river specific. My fish monger at Grash's in Milwaukee who does a good job of ordering and knowing the source and pedigree of his fish, had Copper River, regular King Salmon, Sockeye and a River specific Sockeye, yesterday. The pricing was all over the map and depended on who was selling and at what time. A sockeye that sold for about $11/# yesterday would be $14/# with the next shipment due today.
Me, I purchase by quality and freshness and ignore the appellations which usually result in either higher prices or generic catch anyway.-Dick

I'm excited to try some. Just called Dominick's to verify inventory and if it is indeed fresh and they have it @ $11.99/lb!

@8.99/lb at Costco - Gravalax and grill.
Isn't Summer swell!!

Now that's some nice fat oozage*, sazerac ! Gorgeous looking salmon, both here, and in the gravlax thread. Not having grilled gravlax before, I am curious to know what the texture and flavour outcome of this process was.

* speaking of salmon fat, I enjoy getting those 'horseshoe' salmon steaks, almost solely for the fatty tips of the horseshoe that, when cooked, become hot liquified morsels encased in crispy skin ... like that fatty corner nubbin of a ribeye ... dang

tatterdemalion wrote:Now that's some nice fat oozage*, sazerac ! Gorgeous looking salmon, both here, and in the gravlax thread. Not having grilled gravlax before, I am curious to know what the texture and flavour outcome of this process was.

Nab, that round of gravalax was inspired by your quip about transformation. But I should have been clearer there - the pieces that were not gravalax-ed were grilled (above) [posted edited in the gravalax thread]. I did try to low/slow it as you did but the fire was a bit too hot.
Cured salmon I am itching to cold smoke as in Ronnie's great tutorial... I don't think a hot smoke after a long cure is in order, maybe just a brief (few hours) brining as by kenji.

If you like the fat bits of the 'horseshoe', then at some point you need to try elish (hilsa)...

Meijer's Orland Park, $10 bucks a pound.

http://meijer.shoplocal.com/meijer/default.aspx?action=entryflash&storeref=262

We were able to grab some a week or two ago from Treasure Island for I think $16/LB. I dropped by the whole foods in lakeview (halsted) and was told copper river salmon season was over. I walked around the corner to treasure island and they had it! The flavour was unbelievable, I rarely get outstanding salmon and have been trying to incorporate more of it into my diet:

I have been told by many fish suppliers that "true" Copper River is done for the season. I'm sure there is some still in the pipe line. I got a few from Sunset @ 12.99

Costco in Mettawa has wild Alaskan Sockeye for $ 8.99, Sams for 9.99.
Isaacson's says they have salmon from the river next store and it is delicious, $ 10.99.

Wally Wade