Maple - soy glazed salmon

1. This recipe will work with both skin-on and skinless fillets. Do not substitute salmon steaks. If you have extra glaze, drizzle it over plain rice or steamed vegetables, or pass it separately at the table.

2. Adjust an oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat the oven to 500 degrees.

3. Bring the maple syrup and soy sauce to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until the mixture is syrupy and measures roughly 1/2 cup, about 4 to 6 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, remove any pin bones from the salmon. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels, season with salt and pepper, and lay it skin-side down in a lightly oiled 9 by 13 inch baking dish (space fillets about 1 inch apart). Bake for 5 minutes.

5. Using a pastry brush, spread a thick layer of the maple-soy glaze over the tops and sides of the salmon. Continue to bake until all but the very center of the fish has turned from translucent to opaque, about 5 minutes longer.

6. Brush the fillets with another layer of glaze and sprinkle with the sesame seeds before serving.