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My DH's smoked salmon

(33 Posts)
CanadianGran Tue 28-Nov-23 17:58:00

Just doing a brag here. My DH has been busy for the last few weeks doing smoked salmon in his back yard smoker.

I think he has smoked around 20 fish, including sockeye, coho and spring salmon, all caught locally. He has done fish for ourselves as well as friends and family. Both cold smoke and now he is working on hot smoke.

This is quite a process; he gets the fish already filleted, then pulls all the pin bones, brines it, rinse then dry overnight, smoked, then vacuum sealed.

Thankfully we have a separate downstairs kitchen (the house used to have a suite), so all the fishy/smoky smell can stay downstairs.

If I had to guess, each average 5lb dressed fish would make about 3 lbs smoked, so around 60 lbs! Good on him, I'm quite proud.

Grantanow Fri 01-Dec-23 13:13:33

Some years ago my parents-in-law were enjoying a rural holiday near the west coast of Ireland. One evening after dusk there was a quiet knock on the back door of their rented cottage. On opening and the usual greetings, a couple of young fellows asked if they would 'be after having a salmon for tea'? Indeed they would and after a modest payment a large fish changed hands and the two young fellows disappeared into the night. My in-laws never decided on the legality of this transaction but they enjoyed their tea!

Azalea99 Fri 01-Dec-23 16:48:17

Mmm. Love smoked salmon! I’m reminded of my childhood and a couple of trips to Arbroath. Oh were those smokies something special! My grandmother’s kitchen in Stirling was the most popular place in the house each time.
Last time I was in the area I found that you can’t actually just go to a shop and just buy them any more - you have to order them. My parents did that too, and the arrival of that wooden box once we were back in London was very eagerly anticipated. Hats off to your DH, CanadianGran.

4allweknow Fri 01-Dec-23 17:24:57

Oooh, smoked salmon and hot smoked, I can eat all day long. My dcd DD who enjoyed fishing used to smoke trout in her smoking shed.
You are so lucky to be able to have so much salmon. A friend lives in Newfoundland and she and her husband take their boat out and fish like mad during the season and stock up for winter.

crazyH Fri 01-Dec-23 17:32:22

I love smoked salmon 🍣

Urmstongran Fri 01-Dec-23 17:38:35

I’m loving all these stories. 😊

Gundy Fri 01-Dec-23 22:21:36

Oh my gosh - how do I get on the mailing list??? What a wonderful gift that makes for family and friends. It’s quite expensive here, and is one of the first things to go on a buffet table.
Glorious eating.
USA Gundy

JackyB Sat 02-Dec-23 11:23:39

My cousin from Canada came to stay some years ago and brought smoked salmon with her as a gift. It was different from the kind we were used to. A sort of cross between smoked salmon and fresh salmon. It was summer and we simply ate it with a salad.

Living in Central Europe as I do, I really miss fresh fish, the rivers around here are old and slow and far from the sea, so salmon is definitely not a local delicacy!

If I ever go to Canada I shall make a point of trying local freshly smoked salmon.