Cedar plank cooking is often associated with barbecue grills, but the planks can also be used indoor in your oven for cooking seafood, pork, vegetables and the traditional salmon. The cedar imparts a distinctive taste, and the moisture from the plank helps cook the food. Eastern or Western Red Cedar can be used for the planks. While you can purchase them from a specialty cooking store, you can also purchase untreated cedar at the lumber yard and make your own.
Prepare the Planks
In a shallow oven-safe baking pan or roaster, soak the cedar planks for at least an hour. You can use water, cider, wine or beer; the important part is that the plank be covered in the liquid. After an hour, make sure the liquid level is at least 1/4 inch thick in the pan. Just before cooking, brush the plank with olive oil to prevent the food from sticking. Place the plank in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes to sterilize the plank for cooking.
Cooking Fish and Seafood
Season the fish or seafood to taste. Place the food on the cedar plank in the pan and place in the oven at 350 degrees. Bake the fish until it can be easily flaked with a fork. Scallops aren't cooked until they turn a uniform white; shrimp are done when they turn a uniform pink.
Cooking Meat
Roast beef steaks and roasts until the desired degree of doneness is achieved. Rare meats should cook to 145 degrees, medium is achieved at 160 and well done at 170. Use a thermometer to ensure that these temperatures are achieved. Burgers should always be cooked to well done. Chicken should be roasted to 165 degrees and pork should have an internal temperature of 160.
Planking Vegetables
Cut desired vegetables into large chunks. Some vegetables that work well with planking are green peppers, onions, asparagus and summer squashes. Marinade the vegetables in Italian dressing or other herbed or spiced oil for 30 minutes or longer. Lay in a single layer on the plank and cook 30 to 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
Cleaning the Planks
Wash the planks in hot, soapy water. Use a plastic scrubber to remove any baked-on food residue. Dry the plank thoroughly, or let air dry, before storing. A cedar plank can be reused dozens of times if cared for properly.
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