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How to Cook Fish Like an Alaskan Fisherman
The absolute best way to do it, according to the locals.
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14 Comments
Kent D.
October 25, 2019
A commercial fisherman in Alaska
mainly fishing for Halibut ? Lol the halibut season is like three days long out of the year.
mainly fishing for Halibut ? Lol the halibut season is like three days long out of the year.
Terri M.
October 25, 2019
Commercial halibut fishing in AK is not driven by time; it's driven by quota to ensure fishing in AK is sustainable. For 2019 the quota set by NOAA was 22 million pounds. That's up 1.5 million pounds from 2018. As a resident I am fortunate that I can bag 2 fish per day, any size, no limit. That keeps the freezer full!
judy
June 5, 2019
Well, I am not a native Alaskan or Washingtonian. But I have learned to bake salmon, and fry salmon and pan sear salmon and microwave it and broil it. And Steelhead as well. My favorite topping: combine equal parts honey and coarse whole grain horseradish mustard, a few grinds of coarse black pepper, about 1/4 tsp granulated garlic and 1 tsp dried parsley. More or less on the seasonings to last. Slather over the top of the salmon ( or steelhead) and cook. less than 2 minutes in the micro for about 4 ounces, and 4-6 minutes for the rest of the methods, depending on size/thickness of the fish. Beautiful, light flaky every time. don't forget the baked potato and green beans.
Melissa
April 3, 2019
Does anyone know a place that would sell me done fresh Halibut from Alaska and ship it to me here in Morehead City NC. I would love some fresh Halibut and the only place that even sells halibut is the Harris Teeter and it's frozen. Thanks
Terri M.
October 25, 2019
Anything delivered would be flash frozen since it takes two days to get to the east coast. What you can get direct is better than you find in grocery stores because it remains flash frozen until you use it. When we leave Alaska I plan to use Alaska Seafood Company for my 'fresh' fish. They currently process our excess salmon - shelf stable packaging - I really like the service.
Terri M.
February 27, 2019
As a relatively new resident in Juneau, AK I've actually learned a thing or two from your article! This is 'clear the freezers' season (yes, we have multiple) so I'll be putting some of this suggestions to use. I agree that rockfish is great for tacos and I absolutely love lingcod for fish and chips! Our salmon is so delicate and sweet I have to learn to stop over seasoning it! You'll have to come back to sample our dungeoness and king crabs. Nothing better than a fresh caught dungey but they are also good out of the freezer warmed on the grill with a little alder wood smoke.
Apfia
January 21, 2019
I grew up in Homer and my family fished the Copper River Delta for almost 30 years. Our favorite way to prepare salmon is definitely grilled with a little seasoning, and in foil vegetable packets. The packets we do a fillet of salmon topped with sliced ginger, garlic, carrots, onions, cauliflower, peppers-whatever veggies you like really- sprinkled with a little salt and pepper, a squirt of lemon juice or a drizzle of soy sauce, drizzle with olive oil. Fold up tight so it doesn’t leak, and put on the grill. Once it’s done devour with fresh bread and don’t forget to dip the bread into the drippings 😋
HalfPint
January 14, 2019
For oily fish, I like the Vietnamese method of braising fish steaks in a caramel-like sauce (Cá Kho). It's a great way to full season fish which I find a lot of western cook methods fail to do which results in 'meh' taking fish when it could be so much more.
Snow
January 14, 2019
I've lived in Alaska most of my life. It's always been a good luck tradition that the first "chicken" (halibut under 30 lbs) would get cooked on the beach as "poor man's lobster". A giant mess hall size stewpot of boiling water on the campfire with a handful of sea salt and same size handful of Old Bay seasoning. (Approx 1/4 c.) Halibut cut into one inch chunks, fished out of the stewpot once it's popped to the top and nicely white. Dipped in melted butter and served with an ice cold Alaskan beer that's been chilling by hanging off the side of the boat in the icy cold sea. Everyone on the beach wanders over, soon it becomes a shared buffet with smiles, laughter and hopefully a new friend with a big boat. :)
Come visit true wilderness.
Come visit true wilderness.
Melissa
April 3, 2019
Do u know any place or anyone that would ship fresh or previous frozen halibut to me here in Morehead City NC? I would love to have some fresh Halibut but no one around here sells it it serves it. Thanks
jpriddy
June 7, 2019
Google "fresh halibut shipped from alaska" and you will find plenty of sources.
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