Salmon Steaks with Soy-Maple Glaze

• Recipe by Steven Raichlen

"Every year I come up with one preparation that’s embarrassingly simple but incredibly versatile," Raichlen says. This year’s go-to recipe is a glaze made from maple syrup, soy sauce and Asian sesame oil, which adds a trifecta of sweet, salty and nutty flavors to all sorts of grilled meats and fish.

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup soy sauce
2. 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
3. 3 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
4. Four 8-ounce wild salmon steaks, cut 1 inch thick
5. One 2-inch piece of fresh ginger—peeled, thinly sliced and smashed
6. 2 garlic cloves, smashed
7. 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Directions

1. In a large, shallow dish, whisk the soy sauce with the maple syrup and sesame oil. Add the salmon steaks and turn to coat. Press the ginger and garlic onto both sides of the steaks. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, turning the salmon a few times.
2. Light a charcoal grill. Remove the salmon from the marinade. Pour the marinade into a small saucepan and boil over high heat until syrupy, about 3 minutes. Strain the glaze into a small bowl.
3. Oil the grate and grill the salmon over moderately high heat for 6 minutes, rotating the steaks slightly after 2 minutes to make crosshatches, if desired. Turn the steaks and grill for 6 minutes longer. Transfer to plates and spoon the glaze on top. Sprinkle with the scallions and serve.