Gravadlax - A Great Nordic Cured Salmon Starter

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Gravadlax - A Great Nordic Cured Salmon Starter

Details

Prep time:
1-2 days
Cook time:
Suitable for:
Everyone
Serves:
12
Provided by:
Haughton Honey

Gravadlax is salt cured salmon and yes, you can make it at home. It's a perfect make-ahead dish. You could try using other fish like snapper, bass, and Arctic char. Serve the gravadlax with fresh multi-seed bread, lemon wedges and mayonnaise, a mustard sauce or perhaps a yogurt and dill dressing.

The basic recipe calls for salt, honey, and dill but you could also add a few tablespoons of brandy or vodka. Experiment with additional spices like coriander seeds, caraway seeds, fennel seeds and lemon zest. Most gravadlax recipes call for a 24 hour curing period but it can go longer although it'll become drier as it cures.

Ingredients

  • 1 3lb center cut salmon fillet
  • 1 large bunch of fresh dill or fennel fronds
  • 1/4 cup of sea salt
  • 1/4 cup of Haughton Honey
  • 2 tablespoons peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon fennel, caraway, or coriander seeds (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon vodka, brandy, or gin (optional - use a little less salt if doing so)

Instructions

  1. Cut the salmon fillet crosswise in two equal pieces to create a “sandwich.” Lay the fillets skin side down on parchment paper. Sprinkle the salmon with the spices, honey (and spirits if using). Lay the dill over one of the fillets.
  2. Sandwich the fillets together and wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place on a dish and cover with a heavy weight (like heavy cans). Refrigerate for 2 days or more, turning it every 12 hours. Slice thinly to serve.

Notes for the cook: if you have a fan-assisted oven then reduce the specified temperature in the recipe by about 15% ~ 1 teaspoon = 5ml and 1 tablespoon = 15ml ~ some ingredients are measured in cups and some equivalents are; 150g, 6oz (1/2 cup) = 120ml, 4fl oz