Dill Salt Food

SALT-PRESERVED DILL

Steps:

• The above quantity is illustrative - use however much fresh dill you have, weigh it after cleaning it, and then weigh out 20% of that in salt. If you are using a kilo of dill, you would use 200 g of salt, for example.
• Wash the dill and allow it to dry thoroughly - I placed the stems on a wire rack overnight.
• Pluck off the fronds and very tender stems, discarding the rest. Weigh it at this point.
• In a clear plastic container with a plastic lid (I used a mayo jar), layer the dill and the salt, tamping down the dill gently as you layer it. Be sure to use all of the salt, as this is what will prevent bacterial growth.
• Do not fill the jar to the top, leave an inch or so between the dill and the lid.
• Store in the refrigerator.
• Refresh the dill before using by rinsing in tepid water.

FRIED CHICKEN WITH DILL SALT

Steps:

• For the buttermilk brine: Whisk together the buttermilk, pickle juice, hot sauce, dill, granulated garlic, onion powder, 2 teaspoons salt and 2 teaspoons pepper in a large dish or mixing bowl. Add the chicken pieces and refrigerate, covered, for 2 to 4 hours.
• For the dill salt: Mix together the dill, 2 tablespoons salt and 2 teaspoons pepper in a small bowl.
• For the seasoning flour: Mix together the flour, cornmeal, granulated garlic, smoked paprika, mustard powder, onion powder and 2 teaspoons black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
• Remove the chicken from the brine and dredge in the seasoned flour. Place on a wire rack over a baking sheet and set aside for 20 to 30 minutes to let the breading set up.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven with 3 inches of oil; heat to 350 degrees F. Set a wire rack over a baking sheet.
• Working with 3 or 4 pieces at a time (don't overcrowd the pot; the oil temperature will drop too much), fry the chicken until golden brown and crisp, 7 to 8 minutes. (The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F and the meat shouldn't be pink; finish any undercooked chicken in the oven.) Transfer the fried chicken to the wire rack to drain. Season with dill salt while hot.

FRESH DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the mayonnaise, sour cream, yogurt, cream cheese, scallions, dill, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Puree for a few seconds, until well mixed. Add the cucumber and puree for another few seconds, until combined. Pour into a container and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to develop.

CITRUS-AND-DILL GRAVLAX

Steps:

• Place dill bunch in a food processor and finely grate grapefruit and lemon zest directly into bowl; save fruit for another use. Add salt, brown sugar, and peppercorns and process until combined (you can also chop the dill by hand and mix it with the other ingredients in a medium bowl).
• Place a large sheet of parchment paper on a large rimmed baking sheet and pour one-third of cure lengthwise down the center of parchment. Lay salmon skin side down on top of cure and pack remaining cure in an even layer onto flesh side. Fold parchment up and over fish and cover with another sheet of parchment paper. Wrap tightly with plastic. Place another large rimmed baking sheet on top of fish and set a heavy pot or cast-iron skillet in baking sheet to weigh down. Chill 3 days.
• Unpack fish and wipe off cure with a damp kitchen towel (do not rinse). Slice very thinly with a long sharp knife, wiping down blade occasionally with another kitchen towel to keep it clean. Arrange salmon on a platter; serve with bagels, bialys, bread, cream cheese, red onion, capers, dill sprigs, and/or lemon wedges if desired.
• Do Ahead
• Wrap leftover salmon and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

ONION-DILL SALT

Steps:

• Process all ingredients in blender at high speed until mixture is very fine in texture, 30 to 45 seconds.
• Store in shaker.
• great on popcorn.

DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• Whisk together sour cream, mustard, lemon juice and dill until well blended. Chill before serving.