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The fishmonger gave me a whole salmon rationed, and included the head and spine. I threw the head and spine away, but was wondering whether there is any culinary use for it.

Normally in a fish stock, I use white fish, not blue.

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I agree that you can get some good meat from the head and could use it to flavour Bouillabaisse, i wouldn't however use it for stock as oily fish can lead to a cloudy fatty stock rather than the clearer and more flavoursome fish stock that can be derived from the off cuts and bones from white fish.

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  • I've seen a recipe for a 'strong fish stock' that uses salmon. I've also seen a warning against this type of stock as being too strong. So, bouillabaisse could be an option, next time around. Oct 3, 2011 at 11:10
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Lots of good meat on the head (e.g. right on the cheeks), don't throw it away!

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I use salmon bones in stock all of the time. It's delicious!

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    I've always wondered if there were any kinds of fish that didn't make good fish stock?
    – Rikon
    Oct 2, 2011 at 2:48
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The heads contain a lot of natural collagen and meat, so they are perfect for making head cheese. Here is a good recipe for king salmon heads. Here is a picture of the result of that recipe.

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  • One word: nice (15 chars or more) Oct 3, 2011 at 18:05
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If you actually like gnawing on bones (like my parents), you can sprinkle some seasoned salt and bake/smoke them... and then gnaw on them...

They also prepare the head in various ways like steaming in rice wine with a bunch of scallions and ginger or the aforementioned stocks. This also depends on whether you like picking meat off.

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