Cooking with Cedar Planks

cedar plank salmon is the best! Totally worth it. We soak ours in red wine, not water.

I've only used a cedar plank for cooking salmon and it makes a huge difference. Totally yummy :) I've used my plank many times for over 5 years or so but it was thicker than some I've seen. The key to getting the best flavor and to plank longevity is to soak the plank for many hours (6 or more) before you use it.

good luck!

Oh My Gosh!! my husband uses cedar planks for salmon - incredible!!! Soak in water and puts them on the grill and delicious.
I am actually sitting here salavating thinking of our dinner last weekend. It has a distinct flavor difference.
We have not tried with steaks. We eat a lot of venison (hunter man) but I bet it would be nice.
Play around with it. I bet you'll be happy.

I think it was Sunset Magazine tho it may have been Real Simple magazine that had an article on cooking with planks. It suggested that you can make your own plank by buying from a lumber store. Be sure to tell them it's for cooking so that you don't buy wood that has been treated.

And, yes, it said you can use it over and over. When you soak it in a liquid it does not burn tho it may char some.

And......you can experiment with various liquids. Wine is the only one I remember. And you can use various woods.

I found the Better Homes and Garden's article on cooking salmon with wooden planks. It has some good info including suggestions for liquids and different woods. I googled "cooking salmon with wooden planks" and got lots of sites.

http://www.bhg.com/recipes/grilling/basics/how-to-grill-s...

The planks, comes with directions on the packaging.
You can use it to cook anything, grilling.

Moisten it first. Soaking it.
It is just like, grilling with wood chips to add flavor.
Even restaurants do this.

I tried these once and they just caught on fire on my grill! Fried my whole salmon. I did soak them in the sink beforehand for 24 hours but perhaps I had the heat up too high......hope yours turn out better!