Sweet-n-Savory Salmon

(This recipe was originally posted in conjunction with Meijer Ad Week of 2/17/13 - 2/23/13)

We live close enough to Lake Michigan that we have access to (free!) fresh-caught salmon during salmon season.  If you want to try salmon but don't have access to the fish straight out of the lake, you can find frozen salmon fillets at Costco, and fresh or frozen salmon fillets at Meijer.  So get your Omega-3 fatty acids on and try out this very un-fishy fish recipe today!
Ingredients:
1 salmon fillet (2-3 pounds)
1/2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning (optional)
1 1/2 C brown sugar
6 Tbsp butter or margarine
4 Tbsp lemon juice
2 1/2 tsp dill weed
1/4 - 3/4 tsp cayenne pepper (depending on how much heat you want)

Directions:
Line a 9x13 or jelly roll pan with foil (depending on the size and shape of your salmon fillet).  Spray foil with cooking spray.  Place salmon on pan.  (If skin is still attached, make sure the skin side is down.)  Sprinkly lightly with lemon pepper, if desired.  Combine brown sugar, butter or margarine, lemon juice, dill, and cayenne pepper in a microwaveable glass bowl.  Microwave on high 45 seconds, stir, and microwave on high for another 45 seconds or until mixture begins to simmer.  Stir well and drizzle 2/3 of the mixture over the salmon.  Place salmon pan in a COLD oven (do NOT preheat).  Turn on oven to 400 degrees.  Bake 25 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.  Pour remaining glaze over salmon if desired, or serve glaze on the side.

Options and Tips:

• Salmon can also be grilled as follows:  place salmon fillet on a double thickness of foil.  Turn up the edges of the foil to create a shallow "pan".  Drizzle about half of the glaze over the salmon.  Grill, covered, over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.  Uncover and brush more glaze over the salmon 2-3 times during grilling process.
• How many people a salmon fillet serves will depend on how much your family likes fish.  Our family demolished a 2 1/2 pound fillet (2 adults and 4 kids), but if you serve everyone just a small chunk, 1 1/2 pounds might be enough for your family.  Sorry, I know that's vague...but just keep in mind that most people don't eat as large of a chunk of fish as they would if it were steak.

This recipe comes from a variety of places.  A similar glaze recipe can be found on page 283 of the 2001 Taste of Home's Quick Cooking Annual Recipes.  The oven instructions can be found on various blogs and cooking sites, including The Pioneer Woman.