Barbecued Salmon Steaks With Avocado Butter (Recipe)

Ingredients

6 salmon steaks, cut 1 inch thick (about 3 pounds)

Marinade:

1/2 cup cooking oil

3 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons barbecue spice

1/4 teaspoon dried basil, crushed

1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Dash salt

Avocado Butter:

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/4 cup mashed avocado

4 teaspoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon snipped parsley

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Parsley sprigs (optional)

Lemon slices (optional)

Steps

1. Thaw the salmon steaks, if frozen.  Place the fish steaks in a single layer in a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.

2. To make the marinade: In a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the cooking oil, the 3 tablespoons lemon juice, the barbecue spice basil, marjoram, pepper and salt.  Shake well and pour the marinade over the salmon.  Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour, turning the fish once.

3. To make the Avocado Butter: In a blender container or food processor bowl, blend or process the butter or margarine, avocado, the 4 teaspoons lemon juice, the snipped parsley, Worcestershire sauce and garlic salt until smooth.  Refrigerate the mixture in a covered container until ready to serve.

4. Drain the fish, reserving the marinade.  Place the fish on a greased grill crack.  Grill, uncovered, directly over medium-hot coals for 5 minutes.  Using a wide spatula, carefully turn the fish over and brush with the reserved marinade.  Grill the for 3 to 7 minutes more or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.  Arrange the fish on a serving platter.  Dollop each fish steaks with Avocado Butter.  Garnish with parsley sprigs and lemon slices, if desired.

Tips:

Try swordfish or halibut steaks in place of the salmon.

You'll need 2 lemons for this recipe.  Use 1 1/2 lemons for the juice and the remaining for the optional slices.

One hour is long enough for marinating fish when the marinade contains an acid such as lemon juice.  Marinating any longer will toughen the fish.

To broil the fish: Grease the rack of a broiler pan.  Drain the fish, reserving the marinade.  Place the fish on the prepared broiler rack and broil 4 inches from the heat for 5 minutes.  Using a wide spatula, carefully turn the fish over and brush with the reserved marinade.  Broil for 3 to 7 minutes more or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.