Dried Salmon/Salmon Jerky

Some time ago I was shopping at Whole Foods and discovered Ahi & Salmon jerky.  I really enjoyed them both, but I found them to be too tough at times. In fact, some of them were so tough they were inedible.  I've discovered since living in HI, that a lot of places sell different varieties of dried fish.  Salmon, mahi mahi, and ahi just to name a few.  It's not too expensive, but it can get pricey.  So after doing some research about making jerky at home, I've discovered a process using a my own recipe.  I also use this sauce recipe to marinate and bake salmon filets.

Ingredients:

• Four 4-6 oz salmon filets
• 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 cloves fresh minced garlic (more or less to taste)
• 1/4 tbsp of grated ginger or ginger powder (more or less to taste)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (you can also use agave nectar, adjust amounts to suit sweetness preference)

Directions:

1. Cut salmon filets in to 1 inch pieces and set aside
2. Combine remaining ingredients in to a dish with lid.  Mix well.
3. Place salmon in to dish, and make sure the sauce covers the salmon well.
4. Marinate overnight
5. Preheat oven to 200 degrees
6. Place tin foil on a cookie sheet and lightly spray with cooking spray
7. Arrange salmon pieces on tin foil and bake for at least 6 hours.  You may need to bake longer depending on the thickness of the salmon pieces.  You want the pieces to be mostly dry, with a little bit of moisture left in the middle.

If you want to make as a salmon main dish instead of dried salmon, follow the same steps, just change the cooking directions to the following:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degress
2. Place salmon filets on tin foil lightly sprayed with cooking spray
3. Bake at 400 for 12 - 14 minutes.
4. Serve with a side of asparagus and quinoa for a healthy meal