Is steelhead salmon? It looks like salmon and tastes like salmon so what is the difference? These questions have been raised to me throughout the years and I always answer the same. Steelhead and salmon are vastly different in many ways but their flavor profile is very close. Baby steelhead start out their life as rainbow trout but when they migrate to the ocean they turn into steelhead. The change occurs due to plentiful food source in the ocean and the need to grow bigger to survive. If you are a rainbow trout and decide to not migrate to the ocean then you stay a cute little rainbow trout.

Steelhead taste is similar to sockeye salmon with thin lines of fat and a nice chew.  This fish is very versatile in cooking and you can replace any salmon cooking method with steelhead.  This month I am giving you my great steelhead recipe that incorporates the new apple craze the “cosmic crisp”. Please enjoy!

Steelhead with Cosmic Apple Fennel Slaw
Serves 2
2-6 oz Fillets of Steelhead
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 TB Canola Oil
1 Cup White wine
2 TB Butter, Unsalted
1 Bulb Fennel
1 Apple, Cosmic Crisp
2 TB Mayonnaise
½ TB Apple Cider Vinegar
2 TB Chopped Parsley
Salt and Pepper To Taste

1)Heat a medium size fry pan to medium high heat.
2)Season Steelhead filets on both sides with salt and pepper.
3)Add canola oil to fry pan and place salmon skin side up. Sear for 5 minutes.
4)Flip over and add white wine and cover for 3 minutes.
5)Take steelhead out of pan and place on serving dish.
6)Let wine cook down on medium low temperature.
7)In a bowl thinly shave fennel and apple.
8)Add mayonnaise, vinegar, parsley and salt to taste.
9)Once the wine is cooked down take away from heat and add butter.
10)Swirl pan then season with a touch of salt. Pour over the salmon and then top with the apple slaw.
11)Garnish with the top of the fennel.