Vodka Dill Gravlax Recipes

GRAVLAX

Steps:

• Combine the salt, dill, orange and lime zests, pepper, and vodka in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
• Place the salmon, skin side down, on several large sheets of plastic wrap, and pack the salt curing mixture over the entire cut of the salmon. Press the mixture firmly onto the fish, wrap tightly in the plastic, and place, skin side up, on a baking sheet. Place something heavy, like a large iron skillet, on top to help infuse the salmon with the mixture. Refrigerate for 24 hours.
• Remove the salmon from the refrigerator and brush the salt off. Rinse thoroughly under cold running water to remove the cure. Sprinkle the salmon with the sugar and pack it in firmly with your hands. Rewrap in plastic, place on a baking sheet, and refrigerate for at least 1 week before serving. (The gravlax will keep up to two weeks, well wrapped and refrigerated.)
• To serve, unwrap the gravlax and using a long, very sharp knife, slice diagonally in paper-thin slices and place on a platter with toast points. Set out small dishes of capers, chopped red onions, dill, hard-boiled egg whites, and hard-boiled egg yolks for accompaniments.

GRAVLOX

Steps:

• Drape plastic wrap over a glass baking dish. Cut salmon in half lengthwise, and place one half in dish, skin side down. Mix together salt, brown sugar and pepper. Sprinkle half of mixture over salmon in the dish, cover with the chopped dill, and pour the vodka over the whole mixture.
• Sprinkle the remaining salt mixture over the remaining half of salmon. Place over the salmon in the dish, skin side up. Fold the plastic wrap snuggly over the entire salmon. Place a board over the fish and weigh it down with a heavy object.
• Refrigerate fish for 24 to 36 hours, turning every 12 hours. To serve, separate the filets, and carefully brush off the salt, sugar and dill. Cut into very thin slices with a sharp knife.

GRAVLAX

Steps:

• Into a zipper-lock bag, pour salt, sugar and dill. Squish around until combined. Add vodka, squish around some more. Add salmon to the bag. Rub and press some of the marinade over the salmon flesh. Press the two pieces together sandwich style. Rub the rest of the marinade over the skin side of the salmon. Seal the bag. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
• Every time I thought of making gravlax at home, I nixed the idea because I couldn?t imagine trying to stuff a whole salmon into my refrigerator. My mother says to me one day, "Why don?t you just try a pound, Kathleen? You?re not feeding an army." .

GRAVLAX

Steps:

• Mix together the salt, sugar, and dill. Put the salmon, skin side down, on a large sheet of plastic wrap. Cover the flesh side of the salmon with the salt mixture, being sure to coat it completely (there will be lots of salt mix; just pile it in there).
• Wrap the fish well. If the air temperature is below 70°F and it is not too inconvenient, let it rest outside the refrigerator for about 6 hours, then refrigerate for 18 to 24 hours more. Otherwise, refrigerate immediately for about 36 hours.
• Unwrap the salmon and rinse off the cure. Dry, then slice on the bias. Serve plain or with lemon wedges, crème fraîche, sour cream, or a light vinaigrette.
• Variations
• Low-Salt Gravlax: Use 1/2 cup salt and 1/4 cup sugar. Combine a couple of chopped bay leaves, 1/4 cup minced shallot, and 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper with the dill. Refrigerate for 48 hours and proceed as directed.
• Citrus Gravlax: Use 1 cup each salt and sugar, combined with the grated zests of 2 oranges, 2 lemons, 2 limes, and 2 grapefruit, 2 tablespoons juniper berries; 1 tablespoon cracked coriander seeds; and 1 bunch of dill, stems and all. Marinate for 12 to 24 hours.

VODKA DILL GRAVLAX

Steps:

• Combine all DRY CURE ingredients in a small stainless steel mixing bowl. Place a piece of plastic wrap (large enough to wrap around the entire fish) on a clean work surface. Place a double layer of Cheesecloth, twice the size on the Salmon on top of Plastic wrap. Sprinkle ¼th of the DRY CURE over the Cheesecloth. Place the Salmon, skin side down, on top of the dry cure. Drizzle the Vodka (or Gin) over the fish. Evenly, and liberally, coat the salmon with the remaining Dry Cure, using hands to rub it into the fish. Wrap Cheesecloth around the Salmon, followed by the plastic wrap to completely seal the fish, forming a tight package. Place wrapped Salmon on a wire rack set on a heavy sheet pan (or in a heavy baking dish). Top the Salmon with a weight (brick, heavy platter, full cans of anything from your pantry, cast iron skillet use your imagination. Just make sure the Salmon is evenly weighed down to expedite the curing process.) Refrigerate for a minimum of 48 hours, up to 5 days. Turning over once a day. Remove Cured Salmon from the wrapping and rinse off with cool water with remove the dry cure. Pat Dry. Place Salmon back on wire rack and put in the refrigerator for about an hour to air dry. Thinly slice on a bias and Serve! Will keep in the refrigerator, covered, for up to one week.