Salmon Gravlax Tartare On Crisp Potato Slices Food

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.

GRAVLAX-POTATO GRATIN (LAXPUDDING)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 F. Peel and slice potatoes, about ¼ inch thick. Peel and thinly slice the onion. Grease the baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter. Layer the potatoes across the bottom; add a layer of onions, followed by a layer of gravlax. Repeat with one more layer each of potato, onion, and gravlax; finish with a layer of potato, then a final layer of onion. (Note: Based on the exact size and shape of your baking dish, you may have extra ingredients. Use the remainder to make a second, smaller gratin, or reserve the ingredients for another use.)
• Crack eggs into a bowl; add the milk, then whisk to combine. Add white pepper and salt, and stir to combine. Pour over the casserole dish, just to cover the top, distributing evenly. Finely chop ¾ of the dill; sprinkle over the top of the casserole. Bake in the oven until potatoes are cooked through and the top is golden brown, 40-45 minutes.
• Test potatoes for doneness by inserting a knife through the layers of the gratin. It should slide in smoothly and come out clean. Allow to rest for about 10-15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt remaining butter in a small skillet. Plate the gratin, and top each serving with a dill sprig and a generous drizzle of melted butter. Serve with fresh lemon wedges.

GRAVLAX WITH MUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut the salmon in half crosswise and place half the fish skin side down in a deep dish. Wash and shake dry the dill and place it on the fish. Combine the salt, sugar, crushed peppercorns, and fennel seeds in a small bowl and sprinkle it evenly over the piece of fish. Place the other half of salmon over the dill, skin side up. Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Place a smaller pan on top of the foil and weight it with some heavy cans. Refrigerate the salmon for at least 2 and up to 3 days, turning it every 12 hours and basting it with the liquid that collects.
• Lay each piece of salmon flat on a cutting board, remove the bunch of dill, and sprinkle the top with chopped dill. With a long thin slicing knife, slice the salmon in long thin slices as you would for smoked salmon. Serve with dark pumpernickel bread and mustard sauce. You can also serve with chopped red onion and capers, if desired.
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon ground dry mustard
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• Combine the mustards, sugar, and vinegar in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the oil and stir in the chopped dill. Serve with the gravlax.
• Yield: 3/4 cup

SMOKED SALMON "TARTARE" ON NEW POTATO SLICES

Steps:

• Slice potatoes into twenty-four 1/4-inch-thick rounds. In a vegetable steamer, set over boiling water steam one layer of potato slices, covered, until tender, 5 to 10 minutes, and cool completely. Steam remaining slices in same manner. Potato slices may be steamed 1 day ahead and kept in a sealed plastic bag, chilled. Bring potato slices to room temperature before proceeding with recipe.
• Make "tartare":
• In a bowl stir together "tartare" ingredients and salt and pepper to taste.
• To assemble hors d'oeuvres:
• Brush tops of potato slices with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Top each slice with a heaping 1/2 teaspoon "tartare" and a small dollop sour cream.

SALMON GRAVLAX TARTARE ON CRISP POTATO SLICES

Steps:

• For the Gravlax Cure:
• Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. You can make the cure in advance and it will keep, stored in an airtight jar out of the sunlight, for up to 6 months.
• For the Tartare:
• In a medium bowl, mix the salmon with 2 tablespoons of the Gravlax Cure and then add the olive oil, snipped chives, orange zest, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6 hours. Serve topped with a scattering of freshly minced dill on a Crisp Potato Slice or an English cucumber slice.
• Strew some more minced dill on the plate or tray that you're using to pass the hors d'oeuvres - then the Crisp Potato Slices won't skid around and the cucumber will be easier to pick up.
• For The Crisp Potato Slices:
• Position a rack in the top third of the oven and preheat to 350°F.
• Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet; brush each slice with oil, then turn them and brush the other side. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake for 10 minutes, then turn slices and bake for another 5 minutes. Remove all crisp slices with a spatula and continue cooking any slices that look like they need more time. Cool on a rack, then use immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.