Beet Cured Salmon Food

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.

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-CURED SALMON GRAVLAX

Steps:

• Stir kosher salt, sugar, and cayenne together in a bowl.
• Line a dish with cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel. Sprinkle 1/3 of the salt-sugar mixture over the bottom. Place salmon skin side-down in the dish. Grate beet over the salmon and spread evenly to cover. Sprinkle the remaining salt-sugar mixture on top, varying the amount according to the thickness of each section.
• Fold cheesecloth over the salmon and cover the top with plastic wrap. Wrap a brick in aluminum foil and place on top of the salmon. Let cure in the refrigerator until salmon is firm to the touch and translucent when sliced, about 36 hours. You can carefully unwrap, and poke to test, and then rewrap, and let cure longer if need be.
• Transfer salmon to a paper towel-lined plate. Scrape off the grated beet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, about 18 hours more. Slice salmon thinly at a 45-degree angle, gliding knife back and forth and turning it up and away from the skin.

BEET-CURED LOX

Steps:

• Grate beets and horseradish and mix together. Mix salt and sugar then spread generously on salmon filet. Spread beet and horseradish mixture on top of that. Scatter dill sprigs over the top, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cured, about 3 days.
• When salmon feels firm, after about 3 days, remove toppings and discard. Gently rinse filet of remaining salt and sugar and pat dry. Slice very thinly to serve.

BEET-CURED SALMON

Steps:

• Toast peppercorns, coriander and dill seeds, allspice, and juniper berries in a dry small skillet over medium heat, tossing often, until very fragrant, about 4 minutes. Let cool, then finely grind in spice mill or with mortar and pestle. Transfer to a small bowl and mix in salt, sugar, and lemon zest.
• Lay salmon, skin side down, on a large sheet of parchment paper set on a large rimmed baking sheet. Pack spice cure on both sides of fish, pressing to adhere. Toss beets, chopped dill, and ginger in a medium bowl to combine; pack onto both sides of fish. Fold sides of parchment over salmon, then wrap tightly in plastic. Set another baking sheet on top of salmon and weight with three 28-oz. cans or the equivalent in cookbooks or other things you have in your kitchen. Chill 2 days.
• Unwrap salmon and wipe off aromatics and cure (don't rinse). Thinly slice to serve.
• Do Ahead
• Salmon can be cured 3 days ahead. Rewrap after wiping off aromatics and cure and chill.

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.