Salmon with Sweet Bourbon Glaze

Can you believe this little strip of fish is $5.99?!?

This was actually hubby's experiment. We bought a cut of salmon, but instead of buying the marinated kind, we bought fresh upon hubby's insistence. When we got home, I let him work his magic.

Admittedly, I was skeptical and scared while he was working in the kitchen, especially since I know he has a penchant for sweet things. I saw him take out brown sugar, molasses, and mirin from the pantry. All the while I was thinking, "is he gonna make candy or glaze?"

I have to hand it to him, though. Even without a recipe, he made a terrific glaze that went so well with the salmon. You have to eat this while it is hot or the glaze would harden and you'll end up with a piece of brittle!

Paired with boiled spinach!

 What you need: 

1 salmon fillet
3 to 4 tablespoons Bourbon
1 tablespoon brown sugar
splash of mirin
1 teaspoon molasses
1 pod star anise
1 tablespoon butter
pinch of salt


What to do: 

Combine brown sugar, mirin, Bourbon, molasses, star anise and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat and whisk continuously until it comes to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer.

Meanwhile, place butter on a pan over medium heat and fry one side of the salmon. When cooked (about a minute or so, depending on the thickness of the cut), flip over to cook the other side. After another minute, pour the prepared glaze on the fish and let cook for about a few minutes. When the liquid has reduced to almost nothing, remove fish from the pan and serve.


Tips, Tricks and Tweaks: 

1. Use non-stick pan! 
2. Keep stirring. Trust me on this!
3. After cooking, rinse your pans immediately! Or you will have a hard time trying to remove those hardened sugar!