Maple-Grilled Sockeye with Brown-Butter Corn

Maple-glazed wild sockeye, flame-kissed summer corn, burst tomatoes, and silky lemon-brown butter make this an impressive Pacific Northwest take on a New England supper.

Ingredients

  • Fresh Sockeye Salmon Fillet Wild Caught (sustainably sourced)
    12 oz, cut into 2 equal fillets $15.99
  • Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob-Each
    2 ears, shucked $0.75
  • Kroger® Fresh Grape Tomatoes
    5 oz, halved $2.99
  • Green Onions
    2, thinly sliced $1.19
  • North Shore Potted Living Basil
    1/4 cup loosely packed leaves, torn $4.79
  • Kroger® Fresh Lemons Bag
    1 lemon $4.99
  • Garlic
    1 clove, minced $0.79
  • Unsalted butter
    3 tbsp
  • Pure maple syrup
    1 tbsp
  • Dijon mustard
    2 tsp
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
    1 tbsp plus 1 tsp
  • Smoked paprika
    1/2 tsp
  • Kosher salt
    1 1/4 tsp
  • Black pepper
    1/4 tsp

Instructions

  1. Heat a grill to medium-high, about 425°F, and clean the grates. Halve 5 ounces grape tomatoes, thinly slice 2 green onions, tear 1/4 cup basil leaves, mince 1 garlic clove, and zest 1 lemon before squeezing 2 tablespoons juice from it.
  2. Whisk 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, the zest of 1 lemon, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Brush the glaze over both sides of the 12 ounces sockeye salmon.
  3. Brush 2 shucked ears of corn with 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil and season with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Grill the 2 ears of corn for 8 minutes, turning every 2 minutes, until lightly charred; transfer them to a cutting board and cool for 3 minutes.
  4. Oil the grill grates with 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil. Grill the 12 ounces glazed sockeye salmon skin-side down for 5 minutes; carefully turn and grill for 3 to 5 minutes, until the center reaches 145°F. Transfer the 12 ounces grilled salmon to a plate and rest for 5 minutes.
  5. While the 12 ounces grilled salmon rests, move indoors to the stovetop or use a grill side burner. Cut the kernels from the 2 grilled ears of corn. Melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until nutty and golden; add 1 minced garlic clove and cook for 30 seconds.
  6. Stir the kernels from 2 grilled ears of corn, 5 ounces halved grape tomatoes, 2 sliced green onions, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt into the 3 tablespoons browned butter; cook for 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and fold in 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1/4 cup torn basil leaves.
  7. Divide the warm corn-and-tomato mixture between 2 shallow plates, place 6 ounces grilled sockeye salmon on each portion, and spoon the browned butter from the skillet around each fillet.

Total time: 45 minutes

Estimated cost: $22–$28 for 2 servings

Health notes: About 690 calories per serving, with roughly 38 grams of protein, beneficial omega-3 fats, and fiber-rich summer vegetables.

Drink pairing: A lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the salmon and brown butter while retaining enough freshness for the lemon and sweet corn.