Maple Salmon with Butternut Squash Rounds

Dude Food Fire Longview Spice Blend was inspired by East Texas / Memphis Style BBQ. With a sweet maple flavor and a touch of brown sugar, pepper, garlic, onion, and salt, Longview Spice Blend is the perfect way to add a smoky, sweet flavor to your favorite meat or vegetables. One of my favorite ways to use it is on a fresh piece of salmon. Add in some delicious butternut squash, and you have a meal that is guaranteed to satisfy.

Ingredients:

• 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into ½” rounds
• 4 center-cut salmon filets (I used Northern Atlantic), about 6 ounces each
• 2 tablespoons Dude Food Fire Longview Spice Blend
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons kosher salt, divided
• Nonstick spray
• 4 grill planks about 8” long and 4” wide
• Glaze, see recipe below

Directions:

• Set grill to 450 degrees. Lightly oil grilling planks.
• Boil squash rounds for 3-4 minutes in salted water just to blanch. Remove. Pat dry and coat with neutral oil. Let cool.
• Rub salmon filets with oil all over. Place 2 filets per grilling plank. Salt each filet well and top with Dude Food Fire Longview Spice Blend.
• Sprinkle squash rounds with Dude Food Fire Longview Spice Blend and place 2 rounds per plank.
• Place squash planks on the grill first and let them cook for 5 minutes (they take longer than the salmon will). Place salmon planks on the grill and grill for 10-12 minutes with lid closed. Keep a spray bottle with water close. Watch for flare ups if the planks catch on fire. Spray to put out fire and increase smoke. Baste salmon and squash with Maple Glaze 2-3 times during cooking. Flip salmon and squash over about half way through cooking. Remove salmon from grill at 115 degrees (it will continue to cook while cooling). If you prefer, you can cook the squash rounds directly on the grill to impart nice grill marks. Baste salmon and squash with glaze once more before serving.

Maple Glaze Directions:

• 1 stick whole butter
• 1 large shallot, rough chopped
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons apricot preserves
• 2 tablespoons Dude Food Fire Longview Spice Blend
• Over medium heat, cook shallots in butter for 8-10 minutes, stirring every minute or two to prevent burning or sticking. Add sugar, honey, water, syrup, and preserves. Bring to boil, reduce heat and lightly simmer for 5 minutes. Add spice blend and cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat.