Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Salmon & Asparagus Bundles


These salmon and asparagus bundles always catch my eye each time I see them in the showcase of our local favorite seafood market Merrick’s in Cape Coral, Florida. Merrick’s is one of southwest Florida’s finest purveyors of fresh seafood (they service over 250 local restaurants) and they also have ready-to-go seafood dishes for take-out. Take a glimpse inside the seafood market here and you’ll see why we are so proud to have them in the area. In a large room behind the retail counter you can see fish cutters busily filleting freshly caught local fish from the Gulf of Mexico. Last year they opened Fish Tails, their own fabulous seafood restaurant next door to the seafood market, photos of some of their gorgeous dishes here. Now you can understand why we eat a lot of fresh seafood and why you see a lot of seafood recipes on My Carolina Kitchen. Both Merrick's Seafood Market and Fish Tails restaurant are a "do-not-miss" if you are in the greater Fort Myers / Naples area.

I finally decided to make my own salmon and asparagus bundles. The ones at Merrick’s have a bourbon glaze (see here), but I was in the mood for something a little tropical, so I chose Soy Vay’s Island Teriyaki sauce for my glaze. The glaze is made of made with 100% pure pineapple juice, zesty ginger and fresh garlic and even if I tried, I don’t think I could do better if I had made my own. I always have a bottle in the refrigerator and use it often as a glaze on salmon or grouper, as an example. Soy Vay’s Island Teriyaki is available in many supermarkets, including Fresh Market, and on line at Amazon.

Soy Vay Island Teriyaki

These bundles can be made in advance and cooked at the last minute, which makes them convenient for entertaining. The salmon should be skinned before wrapping the asparagus. Your fishmonger can do this for you or it’s relatively easy if you have a sharp boning knife. I sprinkled my bundles with some black and white sesame seeds before popping them in the oven.


Salmon & Asparagus Bundles
Inspired by Merrick’s Seafood in Cape Coral, Florida, easily doubled or tripled, serves 2

Fresh asparagus spears, about 5 to 6 per person depending on size
½ to ¾ pound fresh salmon, preferably the tail end that isn’t too thick
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Soy Vay’s Island Teriyaki sauce for brushing, about 1 tablespoon per fish
Black sesame seeds
White sesame seeds, optional

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the asparagus up so the ends are even and using a sharp knife, cut off the bottom inch or so to remove the dried ends. Peel the remaining ends with a vegetable peeler, then separate into two bundles.

If the salmon has skin, remove with a very sharp filet knife (your fish monger can do this for you if you wish). Sprinkle the salmon with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then wrap around an asparagus bundle. Brush the salmon with the teriyaki sauce and sprinkle the top with sesame seeds. Place on a sheet pan that has been lined with heavy duty foil (for easy clean-up). Bake for 20 minutes, then remove and check for doneness. Serve right away.

Cook’s notes: If your asparagus is thick, you may wish to parboil it for a minute or so before wrapping it with the salmon. If the asparagus tips are dainty, you might want to brush their tips with a tiny bit of olive oil to prevent their drying out.



This will be shared with Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farm, Miz Helen’s Country Kitchen Full Plate Thursday, Foodie Friday at Simple Recipes, Comforts of Home Tasty Tuesday, and Food on Friday at Carole's Chatter.   

I will be back early next week with a medley of asparagus recipes that are perfect for Easter or any time actually. Until then, have a great weekend. 

35 comments:

  1. A wonderful idea and delicious dish! These bundles look beautiful.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. Salmon and Asparagus just seem to go together and this recipe sounds like a winner! It looks yummy Sam!

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  3. What a pretty dish…I'm always looking for new ways to serve salmon and this sounds like a winner.

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  4. I really like the sound of that glaze, Sam. All those tropical flavors we love. Such a pretty presentation...it must be delicious.

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  5. Sam, This is a beautiful looking entree! I'd be proud to serve it to any guests... The best part is that is fairly simple too! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  6. I love that brand..! Vay much:)
    And I have baked salmon ON asparagus..but never bundled..Thatnk you..healthy and pretty and..drumroll..
    Your Colorful:)

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  7. When we lived in Charleston, S.C., fresh seafood was readily available and on our table often. I miss that! I'm off to Rhode Island next week and looking forward to the fresh seafood that my son meets the boats to obtain. I'm going right over to Amazon and reserve a sauce, or two, for when our asparagus pops out of the ground!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  8. What mouthwatering bundles, Sam! I just used up my teriyaki sauce, must get another bottle to try the recipe. This recipe has all my favourite ingredients...love it!

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  9. This looks perfect for lunch/dinner, or entertaining. I love meals like this. We have a new market here that will "butcher" the fish while we wait - can't wait to try it out. I am not sure that is the proper term for fish, but you know what I mean.

    Madonna
    MakeMineLemon

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  10. What an elegant looking dish! this would be perfect for Easter!

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  11. These look delicious, Sam. I will be preparing them very soon. Thank you for sharing.

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  12. Oh, Sam! You always make pretty food, but these are so simple and yet so pretty. I have a sauce just like that, and so I know I must make these! It's so colorful, pretty and healthy looking!

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  13. You make this see soooo easy. And, so delicious. I love salmon, so I'll give this a try. Wish me luck !!

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  14. Another oh-so-pretty dinner Sam! Love the gorgeous colors! The tomatoes look mighty tasty too, I might need to find some this weekend:@)

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  15. This asparagus wrapped in salmon is so pretty...I love the flavors...Awesome pictures Sam.
    Hope you are having a great week :D

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  16. What a delicious idea ~ and so pretty! My husband will absolutely love this.

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  17. Great method - I'll probably invent my own sauce for glazing:).

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  18. Looks delicious Sam and a clever way to serve these two treats. Our asparagus has just started producing.

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  19. Soy vay? Oy veh! I'll look for it.

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  20. What a beautiful entree, Sam, and your store does look amazing. How lucky you are to have such a fine seafood counter near you. Your salmon recipe sounds delicious with that lovely glaze and the sesame seeds are the perfect garnish. Well done on your version!

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  21. What beautiful look these Sam I love asparagus and salmon and this look stunninh!

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  22. Just heavenly, Sam! We adore salmon and it's now asparagus season! What a wonderful combo!

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  23. A healthy and colorful food.
    I'am fond asparagus.
    Chantal

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  24. What a beautiful dish. It looks delicious and of course very healthy. Blessings dear. Catherine

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  25. What a perfect company meal Sam. Meakins pics are awesome too.

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  26. Such beautiful bundles! Salmon and asparagus just says Spring to me!

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  27. Stunning presentation and that first picture is an out of the park home run!

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  28. Hi Sam,
    Your Salmon Asparagus Bundles are a wonderful presentation for spring. I just love being able to duplicate a dish that is served in a restaurant or can be purchased at the specialty markets. I really appreciate you providing us with a source for the sauce, that will really help all of us who are so far inland.

    Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a very special week.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  29. These are just so beautiful -- definitely going on our Easter table!!

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  30. Great Spring recipe love the sesame seeds too. thanks for bringing your salmon to foodie friday.

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  31. What a fabulous dinner Sam. I love all the beautiful colors, flavors and textures. I also like your tropical version, so nice for the season!

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  32. I just bought some Soy Vay and now I know what to do with it. Those black sesame seeds make for such a pretty presentation. Another pin Sam.

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  33. I'm in love with this combination! Looks so wonderful. Thanks for sharing it on Foodie Friday. I'll be featuring it at this weeks link up :)

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