My process for smoking salmon is simple. It starts with sourcing local quality ingredients and proteins. It is not particularly difficult to get fresh salmon living on Lake Superior. I spend a lot of time on beautiful Lake Superior.

“My process starts with making sure all bones are out of the salmon filets.Once deboned, I mix my dry brine using a 2:1 ratio brown sugar/kosher salt base. (Other ingredients can be added to the brine according to preference.) I put a thin layer of dry brine on the bottom of a Tupperware container and placed salmon portions on top. What’s next is what I feel separates me from others in the area for smoked salmon: I source locally made raw honey and as pure and high-grade maple syrup as I can find. I drizzle a thin layer of the syrup and honey over the salmon, then cover the layer with more dry brine and then repeat the steps until done. I let the salmon brine in the fridge for at least 24 hours. I rinse under cold water and place it on drying racks to form a pellicle. Once the pellicle is nice and sticky feeling, I start the smoker and only use alder wood pellets. I smoke at 160-165° until a nice deep red color develops. Every hour I brush on a raw honey/maple syrup mix for an incredible glaze. When I smoke this salmon, it never lasts long. The rich smoke flavor complemented by the sweet honey/maple syrup glaze is to die for. You can add anything to the top of the salmon while smoking as well like fresh cracked pepper, Cajun seasoning, or even lemon pepper.”