alberta@noon
with Donna McElligott

There's a battle over fish brewing between river otters in central Alberta and local anglers. The province is studying otter numbers and potential solutions. Carrie Nugent is a provincial wildlife biologist.

Our food and cooking columnist in Calgary, Cinda Chavich, recommends cabbage as the perfect Valentine's Day food.

SALMON WITH SWEET AND SPICY CHINESE CABBAGE
You can also steam some basmati rice to serve alongside this simple salmon dish.

2 skinless salmon fillets, each about 5 ounces and 1 inch thick
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar or honey
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon lime juice

toasted sesame seeds

Cabbage Salad:
3 cups shredded cabbage (use Chinese or Napa cabbage)
¾ cup shredded carrots
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and slivered
2 green onions, sliced
1 teaspoon shredded fresh ginger
¼ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon white sugar
1-3 teaspoons sweet red Thai chili sauce or Chinese garlic chili paste (to taste)
salt and pepper to taste

Whisk together the oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic and lime juice. Pour over salmon fillets and marinate for 15 minutes. Remove fish from marinade, reserving marinade.

For the salad, in a mixing bowl, combine the cabbage, carrots, bell pepper and green onions and toss. Whisk together the remaining ingredients. Pour dressing over mixed vegetables and toss again. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Meanwhile, bake the salmon. Set fillets baking sheet that's been lined with foil or parchment. Brush with a little reserved marinade. Bake in a preheated 450F oven until just cooked through, about 10 minutes for a 1-inch piece, just until fish begins to flake. Remove from oven and let rest 2 minutes.

Arrange some cabbage salad in the centre of two plates. Top with salmon. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serves two.

The Glacier Discovery Walk proposed for Jasper National Park has been given the green light by Ottawa. Brewster Canada Ltd plans to build a walkway and glass floored skywalk along the Icefields Parkway. Peter Kent, the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, says the environmental assessment has been approved. Kelly Sloane, the Executive Director for the Northern Alberta chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, opposes the attraction.

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780-479-5382

Ken Kobly, President and CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, responds to yesterday's Throne Speech and looks ahead to Thursday's provincial budget.

Our sports columnists Min Dhariwal and Vicki Hall talk hockey, the Superbowl, even dodgeball. Min is with CBC sports in Edmonton and Vicki is a sports writer with the Calgary Herald.

People ice-fishing on Sylvan Lake are being warned to take their ice huts and go home, when the season ends. Town officials are concerned about the number of huts that are abandoned each year. They've come up with a new plan to stop the problem. Susan Samson is the Mayor of Sylvan Lake.

Concerns are again being raised following the beating of Calgary's Sheila Nabb, who was vacationing at a five-star resort in Mazatlan, Mexico. Simon Vaughan, a travel consultant and writer for "Outpost Magazine" has advice on staying safe in Mexico and other developing countries.