For years, canned salmon was a pantry staple like canned tuna. It was considered a bit upscale because it was a little more expensive, especially since it had to be cleaned of skin and bones, losing about ¼ of the contents but still, a useful, quick, inexpensive meal base. This comparison of the canned version is still true, but now frozen salmon fillets are a more economical meal choice than any form of tuna.

The reversal is due to the success of Aquaculture, or fish farming. Once a treat, frozen salmon fillets are sold in 5-packs in supermarkets and in single units in dollar stores. Some brands are even skinned, eliminating waste. Everything that can be made with canned salmon can be made with these fillets. All they need is light poaching which is easier, neater and quicker than picking out the skin and bones. Furthermore, the cost per ounce or per meal of the fillets is less than solid canned tuna and about half that of canned salmon.

There is still a place for canned salmon. Its compact size and long shelf-life are definite assets. Some think it has more taste because it’s cooked with the skin and bones too. However, there’s no denying that the introduction of frozen fillets at such a reasonable price has greatly increased our dinner options, which is especially welcome during the Lenten season. Of course these fillets can be cooked in any recipe calling for a piece of salmon but I want to focus on the simple weekday recipes we’ve forgotten because canned salmon went out-of-style other than for salads years ago. We need these simple, fast but tasty dishes in our busy lives today.

RECIPES

CREAMY SALMON MOLD:

Serves 8-10 (This is a version of the Tuna Mold from the Mar.7 posting
3 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin – divided
1 cup water – divided into two half cups
1 ½ cups small curd cottage cheese
¼ cup finely diced green bell pepper
2 Tbs. finely diced or grated onion
Salt and pepper
(2) 5 oz. frozen salmon fillets – thawed, lightly poached, skinned, if needed, and flaked.
½ cup finely diced celery
1 Tbs. dried dill weed
2 Tbs. lemon juice
¾ cup mayonnaise
2 quart solid mold
LAYER I
Soak 1 ½ envelope of gelatin with 2 Tbs. cold water until it expands, then dissolve in remainder of ½ cup water boiling. Mix with the cheese, peppers, onion salt and pepper. Pout into the bottom of the mold and chill.
LAYER II
Repeat the above process with the remainder of the gelatin and water. Mix with celery, lemon juice, mayonnaise, dill and salmon. Pour into the mold on top of layer I. Chill until firm, several hours or overnight. Unmold be dipping in hot water to the count of 10 and inverting onto a serving plate. Chill again to firm. Cut in slices to serve.

QUICK Salmon Souffle:

Serves 4
(1) can condensed cream of mushroom or celery soup
1 ½ cups flaked cooked salmon
1 Tbs. chopped capers or dill weed-optional
Pinch salt
5 egg yolks-lightly beaten
6 egg whites-stiffly beaten
Combine the soup, egg yolks, dill or capers, salt and fish. Fold in the whites. Pour into a buttered soufflé dish and bake at a 375 deg. preheated oven for 35-40 min.

Quick Salmon Quiche:

Serves 4
(1) 9 inch frozen pie crust baked according to package directions
4 0z. Muenster cheese-grated
Ingredients listed above for soufflé
EXCEPT
Use only 3 eggs
Use 1Tbs.chopped capers AND 1Tbs.chopped dill weed
Tomato slices or parsley can be used for garnish-optional
Sprinkle cheese over baked pie crust, top with salmon and capers. Beat dill, soup, eggs and salt until well combined and pour over fish.Bake on a sheet at 375 deg. for about 40 min. until top begins to brown and puff. Cool slightly before cutting in wedges to serve.

Salmon Pilaff:

Serves 4
2 large onions chopped
4 Tbs. butter
1 cup rice
1 ½ lb. cooked salmon in large flake
1 ½ tsp. salt
1 Tbs. curry powder
Fish broth or white wine to cover
3 Tbs. chopped toasted almonds-for garnish
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Salmon and Spinach Salad:

Serves 4
2 cups cooked salmon in pieces
2 cucumbers peeled and in thin slices
8 oz. salad spinach leaves
2 plum tomatoes in large dice
1/3 cup chopped scallions
1cup mayonnaise flavored to taste with dill or tarragon or ½ cup vinaigrette of choice
Tear the spinach leaves and toss in a bowl with the cucumbers, tomatoes and fish, divide among plates and top with scallions. Pass the dressing.

Salmon-Caper Sauce Over Pasta:

Serves 4
2 shallots-peeled and diced
2 garlic cloves-peeled and diced
3 ½ oz. white wine
1 cup clam juice
2 Tbs. chopped capers
1 ½ lb. salmon fillets
1 cup half and half or heavy cream
¾ lb. uncooked pasta-bowties or shells preferred
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Mix the white wine and broth and poach the fish, remove fish and render in chunks or large flakes. Saute shallots and garlic in the butter until soft, about 3 min. Measure the liquid and add either wine or broth to make 1 1/3 cup and add to the sauté pan. Boil over medium heat until liquid reduces by half. Add the cream and boil until sauce thickens. Meanwhile cook the pasta al dente and keep warm. When the sauce is ready, add the capers and fish. Add salt and pepper to taste and heat through. Serve sauce hot, over pasta garnished with parsley.

Salmon Fondue:

Serves 4
7 oz. cooked flaked salmon
3 Tbs. Flour
2 Tbs. butter
½ cup white wine or broth
1 cup milk
1 ½ cups grated Swiss cheese
Tabasco to taste
French bread
Melt butter in a fondue pot or the top of a double boiler; stir In flour to make a roux, then add liquids and stir over heat until sauce is smooth and thickened. Add cheese and melt, then fold in fish and add Tabasco to taste. Serve hot with bread cubes for dipping.

Scalloped Salmon:

Serves 4
1 lb. salmon-cooked and in large flake
3 Tbs. lemon juice
1 small onion diced
1 ½ cups coarse seasoned bread crumbs
½ cup melted butter
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup milk, broth or tomato juice
In two bowls combine the first 3 ingredients, season to taste and mix the next 2 well. Layer the 2 mixtures alternately in a buttered casserole, beginning with the fish and ending with the crumbs. Add just enough liquid to moisten. Dot with butter and bake at 350 deg. for 3 min. or until browned. Check halfway through and add more liquid if it seems dry. Serve hot.