Cedar Plank-Grilled Salmon with Avocado-Orange Salsa

Ingredients

• 0.8 cup avocado diced peeled ( 1)
• 0.3 teaspoon pepper black divided freshly ground
• 15  cedar grilling plank 
• 1 tablespoon chives fresh finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon juice of lime fresh
• 0.3 cup maple syrup 
• 0.3 cup orange juice fresh ( 1 orange)
• 1 teaspoon orange rind grated
• 1 cup orange sections ( 2 oranges)
• 2 tablespoons bell pepper red finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons onion red finely chopped
• 36 ounce salmon fillet ()
• 0.5 teaspoon salt divided
• 2 tablespoons cointreau orange-flavored ( liqueur)

Equipment

• bowl
• sauce pan
• grill

Directions

1. Immerse and soak the plank in water 1 hour; drain.
2. Prepare grill.
3. Combine syrup, Cointreau, and rind in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook until reduced to 1/4 cup (about 3 minutes). Cool 5 minutes.
4. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper over fish; brush fish with syrup mixture.
5. Place plank on grill rack, and grill for 3 minutes or until lightly charred. Carefully turn plank over, and place fish on charred side of plank. Cover and grill for 12 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness.
6. Combine remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, orange sections, avocado, orange juice, onion, bell pepper, chives, and lime juice in a medium bowl; serve with fish.
7. Wine note: Salmon works with many white wines (and even some reds), but when the nutty, woodsy flavor of a charred cedar plank is factored in, I'd serve a California chardonnay. It, too, has nutty woodsy flavors, and a creamy, citrusy chardonnay will also mirror the creaminess of the avocado and the citrusiness of the orange. Try Geyser Peak Winery Chardonnay 2005 from Alexander Valley, California ($13). --Karen MacNeil