Copper River salmon arrives in Seattle today. But is the popular fish overrated? (97.3 KIRO FM/file)

The first Copper River salmon landed at Sea-Tac Airport Friday. It marks the beginning of our annual worship of these Alaskan fish.

>>See photos of salmon arrival

They get so much attention and fetch so much money, but are they overrated?

Seattle Kitchen host Tom Douglas says, ‘No.’

“I would pay $50 a pound for Copper River,” Douglas tells 97.3 KIRO FM Seattle’s Morning News.

“But the thing is, you can’t screw it up then,” says Douglas.

He suggests cooking it in a bamboo steamer with maybe a little green onion and a little soy sauce, but not much else.

“Just enjoy that fish,” said Douglas. “Don’t add a bunch of crap to it.”

To avoid overcooking the fish, Douglas recommends using a meat thermometer.

“Just put your thermometer in the middle of it. Pull your fish out at 120 degrees. It will sit there and rest to 125. It will be perfect.”

Douglas says the sought-after fish can be found in the Sockeye variety for about $15 at Costco or your local supermarket. If you want to try the King, he says that will cost you around $50 a pound.

Listen to Tom Douglas on Copper River salmon:

Tom Douglas’ Seattle Kitchen Show can be heard on 97.3 KIRO FM on Saturday at 8 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. Available anytime ON DEMAND at MyNorthwest.com.

By KIRO RADIO Staff