After three straight days of 8-13 recipes per day at BBQU with Steven Raichlen, a few things really jumped to the forefront to pique my curiosity. Hay smoking was at the top of the list.
The structure of the class provided the class received overall instruction on prepping and grilling/smoking each recipe for the day until we peeled off in pairs to master a specific recipe.
Though we all were able to walk around the grill deck learning and seeing the progress on different dishes it wasn’t possible to watch every recipe start to finish. Classmates who had become grill mates, filled each other in so we all walked away up to speed on all recipes.
On the third day classmate Leslie from Chicago and I volunteered for a simple Cambodian Corn dish. We confessed to each other we picked it as it was a more simple option allowing us to pay attention to the other dishes being prepared that day.
The corn was lightly grilled then slathered with a coconut milk based sauce and grilled again further embedding the flavors into the deeply sweet corn. Fortunately for us this took a whopping 10 minutes leaving us lots of time to observe other grilling stations and prepare and elaborate styling for our last group meal.
An element about BBQU that probably was a bit of a surprise was Steven Raichlen’s dedication not only to the recipe preparation but to the plating. He wanted clean, well-presented plates which were also well garnished.
The mention of pine needles or pine cones on the first day as a means to stretch one’s approach from slapping meat down on the plate and calling it a day, probably was out of the comfort zone for many at the class.
This aspect was completely relatable to me as a food blogger. We eat with our eyes first and eating off a clean plate with the food nicely laid out and well garnished simply is more appealing. The class rose to the challenge and by the last day were garnishing with the best of them. More on that later.
While Leslie and I heated our grill I was eagle-eying the hay-smoking going on a few grills down. It was exciting and novel. I knew I’d have to try it at home. It’s a simple and fast way to smoke, with the hay having a light, sweet flavor.
By the time all the dishes were served up for lunch I tasted part of a hay-smoked burger however being a more subtle flavoring and my palate already being saturated by more seriously seasoned dishes from the morning I did not fully take in the end result of the smoking. Yet another reason to give it a go at home.
Instead of beef burgers (use the Ultimate Burger Grill Guide for making perfect beef burgers) I decided to try hay-smoking on salmon. It gave me the opportunity to develop a salmon burger recipe to share as well as being salmon season it’s a readily available option.
I thought being a lighter flavored protein it might receive the hay smoke flavor well. I was able to purchase ground salmon at Whole Foods which made it very quick to put the burgers together however if that isn’t available in your area, taking a salmon fillet with skin and bones removed, processed through a food processor will allow making of ground salmon at home.
Find the full recipe at the bottom of the post!
I would be remiss not to share the breadth and exquisite fabulosity of the food prepared at BBQU 2015. I found myself snapping iPhone shots whenever I could, ever amazed at Steven Raichlen’s ingenuity and creativity. He does not repeat recipes at BBQU so alumni are always starting fresh with a new batch.
Everthing you need to know about a Bacon Weave (including step-by-step photos)! One of the best things I learned at BBQU.
I mentioned before the special garnishing for the Cambodian Corn prepared on the last day by my partner Leslie and I. Trying to stretch, motivated by the flavors in the recipe and I suspect suffering a bit of smoke inhalation from the three days produced ‘Helene’.
Constructed from hay, papadum leaves, a lemon head and bay leaf earrings, she stood proud over our nicely charred corn holding court at the serving table.
Her striking presence even evoked a whisper from a classmate that we were trying to get the ‘Best Students in the Class award’ (which of course there wasn’t one). It was a humorous note on which to end BBQU 2015.
Steven Raichlen’s lastest TV series Project Smoke will begin airing this coming week. Check your local listings for show times!
Hay-Smoked Salmon Burgers
Ingredients
Ingredients for Salmon Burgers:
- 1 ¼ pounds Ground Salmon*
- 1 large Shallot , diced (approximately ¼ cup)
- ½ cup Panko Bread Crumbs (I used Ian’s Gluten-Free Panko Crumbs)
- 1 Egg
- 1 tablespoon fresh Dill , diced
- 1 teaspoon fresh Italian Parsley , diced
- ½ teaspoon dry Yellow Mustard
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground Black Pepper
- Possible optional garnishes: Burger buns (can be warmed on the grill before using), tomato slices, mixed greens, sour cream, ketchup, mayonnaise
Supplies for the Grill:
- Hay (I used hay intended for animal feed purchased at the pet store to ensure no chemicals); 2 large handfuls
- Heatproof deep square pan (I used a square disposable foil pan available at grocery stores)
- A baking cooling rack
- Heavy duty foil (if using a gas grill)
- A non-plastic bucket filled halfway with water
- Oil for brushing burgers
Instructions
Instructions for preparing Salmon Burgers:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix with a large spoon until fully incorporated. Form into four equal sized patties and place on a plate or baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for an hour.
Smoking and Cooking the Burgers:
- If using a charcoal grill or smoker: Heat charcoal in a chimney until flames are coming out the top. Pour out the coals on one side of the grill only. For a gas grill: Turn one side of the grill onto high.
- Fill the square pan with ice. Place the rack on top of the ice and the burgers onto the rack. The first step is designed to smoke the burgers only not to cook them.
- For a charcoal grill: Place two large handfuls of hay onto the hot coals. It will begin to smoke vigorously immediately. Position the grate on top of the smoking coals and hay and place the ice tray with burgers on the grate on the non-heated side of the grill. Place the lid on the grill with top vents closed leaving the bottom vents open. Allow to smoke until on the burgers take on a golden color, about 3 ½ minutes. Remove the tray and set aside. For a gas grill: Place a large piece of heavy foil on the heated side of the grill. Place the hay on the foil and light it to allow it to begin smoking. Add the ice tray with burgers to the unheated side of the grill. Close the lid and smoke for 3 ½ minutes.
- Remove the smoldering hay from the hot charcoal or the foil (if using a gas grill) and deposit into the bucket of water to extinguish.
- For a charcoal grill: Spread out the hot coals, allow the grill rack to heat up, scrape and oil the rack. Lightly brush both sides of the burgers with olive oil or vegetable oil. Place the burgers on the grill and cook approximately 4 minutes on each side until an instant read thermometer reads 140 degrees F. For a gas grill: heat the grill to 350 degrees and place the burgers on the grill cooking approximately 4 minutes per side until a thermometer registers 140 degrees F.
- Allow the burgers to rest for 5 minutes. While the burgers are resting buns can be warmed on the grill. Adding greens below the salmon burger anchors them as well as absorbed excess juice in the case of a traditional beef burger (salmon burgers are leaner so do not seep excess moisture).
Mary Frances says
This sounds so interesting and delicious!
Brandy says
Oh this looks and sounds delicious, I have not heard of hay-smoked before, how interesting. Glad you shared with us, would totally test out this food!
Chris Scheuer says
Hay smoking, how interesting! The burger sounds wonderful and I’m so happy to learn that WFs carries ground salmon.
Marcie W. says
To learn BBQ techniques and recipes from Steven Raichlen sounds like such an elite opportunity. I have always felt like plating is important since people eat with their eyes first.