Baked Salmon Skewers

I was feeling guilty that I hadn't made fish in a while.  Pavilions had my discount salmon trimmings.  Done.

I considered doing these out on the grill.  I have no idea how to grill fish without it sticking, falling apart, and becoming a total fail.  Time to turn on the oven in the middle of a summer afternoon.

I'm including the sheet pan veggies because they really made the meal complete.  As long as I was using the oven anyway, it wasn't a big deal to throw in another tray while doing the actual skewering.  Since I ended up misjudging the pan size for the kebabs and ran two batches, the veggies were done when the second one came out.

8 bamboo skewers
1 lb salmon, cut in cubes
16 pearl onions, about 4 oz
8 oz white or baby bella mushrooms
1 eggplant
1/2 small cabbage
olive oil
salt and pepper
rice for serving
teriyaki or bbq sauce for serving

1.  While you're assembling ingredients, soak the skewers for at least 30 minutes.

2.  Preheat oven to 375º.  Line one baking sheet with parchment paper.  Top a second rimmed sheet with a rack.  Paper too, if you want an easy cleanup.

3.  Cut off the cap from the eggplant and cut in long strips.  Remove core from cabbage half and cut in wedges.  Arrange on paper-lined baking sheet.  Drizzle lightly with oil and rub to coat, especially the eggplant.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and place in the oven on the lower rack.  Roast roughly 45 minutes, until the eggplant is done, turning pieces halfway through.

4.  While the veggies are roasting, build the skewers.  First, cut off the two ends and peel the onions.  That's going to take 10 minutes.  I finally got the last inner layer of peel off by simmering them for a minute.  It's about as hard as peeling garlic.  Wash the mushrooms and cut in half if large.  Skewer the salmon, onions, and mushrooms in any pattern you wish.  They don't all have to be the same.  Lay finished skewers on rack-topped baking sheet.  Lightly season with salt and pepper.

5.  Before putting the fish in the oven, start your rice.  Bake skewers on the top rack for 15 minutes, or until the mushrooms are as done as you would like.  They will take the longest to cook.

6.  Plate the veggies, rice and skewers.  Top with sauce as desired.  Serve hot.

Difficulty rating  :)