Beet And Grappa Cured Salmon Recipes

BEET-CURED SALMON BREAKFAST SALAD

Steps:

• For the beet-cured salmon: In a medium bowl, combine the beets, fennel fronds and lemon zest. In a small bowl, stir together the salt, granulated sugar and black pepper.
• Place a sheet of plastic wrap over a rimmed sheet tray and place the salmon on top of the plastic wrap, skin-side down. Pack all sides of the salmon with the salt mixture, pressing down with clean hands to secure the mixture. Next, pack on the beet mixture. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator, weighed down with another sheet tray and heavy book, to cure for 72 hours.
• For the quickle: When the salmon is cured, combine the vinegar, salt, granulated sugar and 1/3 cup warm water in a mason jar. Shake to combine and dissolve the sugar and salt. Add the onions, close the lid, shake and set aside for 15 to 20 minutes.
• For the citrus vinaigrette: In a medium bowl, stir together the grapefruit juice, lemon juice, Dijon, salt and white pepper. Add the olive oil and whisk to combine.
• For the salad: Remove the beets and salt mixture from the salmon and rinse with water. Pat dry with paper towels and place on a cutting board. Using a super-sharp knife, slice the salmon thinly on an angle to get paper-thin slices. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, dress the fennel with half of the citrus vinaigrette and toss together to combine.
• Cut the avocado horizontally around its equator and remove the pit. Remove the peel, place the halves cut-side down and run your knife across the avocado to cut 1/4-inch rounds.
• Place the dressed fennel on a large plate, top with the avocado, salmon slices, quick-pickled onions and toasted macadamia nuts. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and top with fennel fronds.

BEET AND GRAPPA CURED SALMON

Steps:

• Mix a half-cup of sugar and a half-cup of salt with crushed white peppercorns and orange zest and cover side of salmon with all the mixture evenly. Pour 2 ounces of Grappa on salmon and wrap tightly, refrigerate for 24 hours. Remove the cure with a damp cloth, and cover with grated uncooked beet (about 1 large beet per side). Cure again for another 12 hours and remove the beet cure with a damp cloth. Slice on a bias very thin starting at the tail, cutting toward the tail. Serve with thin slices of cucumber tossed in white balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and cippolini onions cooked slow cooked with white wine and sugar.

BEET- AND HORSERADISH-CURED SALMON

Steps:

• If using fresh horseradish, peel, cut into chunks and process in a food processor, using the steel blade. Do not grate it by hand; the fumes will be overpowering. Drape the food processor with a damp towel and carefully crack the lid, under the towel, to absorb the fumes.
• Remove pin bones from salmon and set aside. In a large stainless steel or glass bowl, combine horseradish and remaining ingredients, wearing gloves to avoid turning your hands purple.
• Choose a nonreactive pan that is just large enough to hold the salmon fillet or line a pan with plastic wrap. Drizzle a little of the beet mixture on pan and place the salmon, skin-side down, on top. Cover the flesh with remaining beet mixture, making it thinner on tail and belly section and thicker everywhere else.
• Cover with plastic wrap, place another pan on top, and weight with cans. Cure in refrigerator for 3 days.
• Gently scrape off beet mixture and discard. Cut salmon in thin slices and serve. Whole fillet, well wrapped in plastic, will last 1 week refrigerated.

DAZZLING BEETROOT-CURED SALMON

Steps:

• Lay the salmon fillets, skin side down, on a board and brush your hand along it. If you feel any little pin bones pinch them out with your fingers or tweezers. In a bowl, mix all of the other ingredients for the salmon together to make the cure.
• Stretch two large sheets of cling film over a work surface and spoon over some of the cure. Lay one of the fillets, skin side down, on the cure, then pack over most of the cure, and sandwich with the remaining fillet, skin side up. Top with the last of the cure and wrap both fillets together tightly with lots of cling film. Place in a container with sides, like a large roasting tray, put a smaller tray on top and weigh it down with a couple of tins. Leave in the fridge for at least three days or up to a week. Don't be alarmed by the amount of liquid that leaks out, this is normal. Once a day, pour away the liquid, turn the salmon and re-apply the weights.
• To serve, unwrap the salmon from the cling film and brush off the marinade. Slice the salmon into thin slivers. Make the dressing by mixing all the ingredients together with some salt and pepper. Toss all the salad ingredients together and serve each guest with a few slices of salmon, a handful of salad and drizzle with the dressing. Once made the salmon will sit happily in the fridge for up to a week and can be used just like smoked salmon.