Several weeks ago at a surprise birthday party for my sister in law, Chris (yes, she turned 60!) I was discussing salmon with my niece Dee Dee and her father Bill. We have been fortunate to enjoy adventures in dining and hunting and fishing with Dee Dee and her husband Chris while they are here in Houston as she finishes up her last year of Medical School (we are all very proud of her!!). Bill has a good friend who spends part of each year in Alaska fishing for salmon, among other things, and as luck would have it he shared with them and they shared with us and so we all have great interest in this years bounty!

I suggested that Bill tell him to save the bones, and send them to Houston. As you might imagine, they all looked at me like I had lost my mind! But then they hadn’t tried my Salmon Bone Appetizers. I hope Bill’s friend doesn’t read this or we probably won’t see any salmon bones this year. I know it sounds crazy, but truly, you have to try this to believe how good it is. In the past I have actually begged John to buy salmon just for the bones, and I really like salmon in all forms!
As a tip to those who don’t have a brother in law with a friend who fishes in Alaska, we have found that Asian markets often sell this product. I guess you have to be ‘in the know’ and after you have tried these, you will be!

This was one of numerous ‘tips’ we learned from our friend John Brochis, who was our sushi chef for years. He used it as a ‘freebie’ appetizer at his sushi bar and they were gobbled up by anyone lucky enough to be there when he had processed a salmon. If you like salmon skin rolls, you will love these.

Salmon Bones

1-2 sides of salmon bones, cleaned, with fillets removed for other uses. Keep skin if you can and cook it also.
1/2 c. sake
1/2 c. soy sauce
oil for frying

Marinate salmon bones in the sake/soy sauce mixture for at least 30 minutes or until fish comes to room temperature. Heat oil in a large skillet until very hot. Place bone sections (we usually cut them into smaller sections) and allow to cook approximately 4 minutes on each side. There will be lots of popping and sizzling as they cook, so be careful. Discard marinade. After they have cooked to a golden brown, and the sound effects stop, take them out of oil and drain on paper towels. The cooking time will vary with the size of the sections, but just cook until very done and brittle. I cooked these 5 min. on one side and another 4, but I don’t have a gas stove so your heat may be able to cook faster. They should seem very dry. Serve and wait for the raves!
When ask what it tastes like, I can only say….really good bacon!!