Pastrami-cured salmon

Method 1

Ingredients

800g side of salmon (the freshest you can get)

250g coarse sea salt

100g light brown soft sugar

2 tbsp coriander seeds

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tbsp caraway seeds

1 tbsp black peppercorns

1 bay leaf

1 tsp sweet smoked paprika

½ tsp cayenne pepper

2 tbsp black treacle

To serve

soft cheese, rye bread or bagels, dill pickles and chopped dill

STEP 1

Three days before you want to serve the salmon, put it, skin-side down, in a rimmed dish. Combine the salt and sugar, then set aside.

STEP 2

Fry the coriander seeds, ground coriander, caraway seeds and peppercorns in a small dry frying pan set over a medium heat for 2-3 mins. Tip into a spice grinder or small food processor along with the bay, and blitz until finely ground. Stir the spice mixture into the salt and sugar mix. Pat the spiced salt mixture all over and around the salmon so it’s well packed onto the flesh. Wrap tightly in cling film, then set a plate or board and something heavy (such as a couple of cans) on top to weigh the fish down. Chill for 48 hrs.

STEP 3

Heat the paprika, cayenne and black treacle in a pan until loosened, then remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly until just warm. Brush the excess salt off the salmon and rinse the fish under cold running water. Pat dry with kitchen paper, then transfer to a clean dish. Brush with the warm treacle mixture until well coated (you may need to generously brush the fish several times before the coating covers the fish well), then wrap in a fresh sheet of cling film. Chill for another 24 hrs.

STEP 4

When you’re ready to serve, set the salmon on a board and thinly slice with a sharp knife, avoiding the layer of skin at the bottom. Serve with soft cheese, rye bread or bagels, pickles and some chopped dill for everyone to help themselves.

Method 2

Ingredients:

- 1 lb salmon fillet, skin on

- 1/4 cup kosher salt

- 1/4 cup brown sugar

- 1 tbsp black peppercorns

- 1 tbsp coriander seeds

- 1 tbsp mustard seeds

- 1 tbsp smoked paprika

- 1 tsp garlic powder

- 1 tsp onion powder

- 1 tsp ground ginger

- 1 tsp ground cloves

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix together the kosher salt, brown sugar, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, and ground cloves to create the cure mixture.

2. Place the salmon fillet on a large piece of plastic wrap.

3. Rub the cure mixture evenly over the salmon fillet, making sure to coat all sides.

4. Wrap the salmon tightly in the plastic wrap and place it in a shallow dish.

5. Refrigerate the salmon for 48-72 hours, flipping it over halfway through the curing process.

6. After the curing process is complete, remove the salmon from the plastic wrap and rinse it thoroughly under cold water.

7. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels and slice it thinly to serve.

Comments

Dumplings

Method 1 Ingredients 150g self-raising flour plus a little extra 70g suet small handful of parsley chopped (optional) step 1 Whilst your stew is bubbling, make the dumplings. Weigh the flour into a bowl and add ½ tsp salt. Stir through the suet and parsley, if using. Make a well in the centre and add 3 tbsp cold water, mix to a dough, adding more water until the dough is firm but pliable. Divide into eight equal pieces and roll in a little more flour into balls. Chill until needed. step 2 When the stew has about 30 mins to go, arrange the dumplings on top and cover with a lid. With the oven at 160C/140C fan/gas 3, cook the stew and dumplings for 20 mins, then remove the lid and cook for another 10 mins until they’re brown and puffed up. Method 2 🥣 Traditional British Dumplings (with Suet) 📝 Ingredients (Makes 6–8 dumplings): 100g self-raising flour 50g shredded suet (beef or vegetable) Pinch of salt Cold water, approx. 4–5 tbsp 🔧 Instructions: Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, m...

Sichuan chicken

Method 1 Ingredients 500g boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces 25g dried Sichuan chillies deseeded and cut into 3 pieces neutral-tasting oil such as vegetable, for deep-frying 1 tbsp dried red Sichuan peppercorns 1 tbsp dried green Sichuan peppercorns 15g ginger peeled and finely chopped 4 garlic cloves finely chopped 2 spring onions finely sliced, whites and green parts separated 3 tbsp unsalted roasted peanuts 2 tbsp sesame seeds ½ tbsp light soy sauce ½ tsp sugar For the marinade ½ tsp ground white pepper ½ tsp chicken bouillon 1 tbsp Shaohsing wine 1½ tbsp light soy sauce 2½ tbsp cornflour 1 tbsp corn oil step 1 Combine all the marinade ingredients, except the cornflour and oil, with ¼ tsp salt in a large bowl, then stir in the chicken thigh pieces to coat. Cover and chill for 30 mins. Add the cornflour and mix well, then add the oil and stir again to combine. step 2 Put the dried Sichuan chillies in a colander and shake to remove any excess seeds. Transfer to a...

Crumpet pizzas

Method 1 Ingredients 6 crumpets 4 tbsp passata 4 tbsp ketchup ½ tsp dried oregano toppings of your choice (peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, sweetcorn, olives, ham and basil all work well) 75g cheddar cheese grated step 1 Heat the grill to high. Lightly toast the crumpets in a toaster or under the grill. Meanwhile, mix the passata, ketchup and oregano together in a bowl. Season. Chop your chosen toppings into small pieces – young children can tear basil, or chop soft veg in a cup using safety scissors. step 2 Line a baking tray with foil. Spread the sauce over the crumpets, then top with the veg and cheese. Arrange on the tray and grill for 3-4 mins, until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Leave to cool slightly before eating. Method 2 🧺 Ingredients (makes 6 mini pizzas / serves 2–3) Base: 6 crumpets (regular or sourdough) 1–2 tbsp olive oil (optional, for brushing) Tomato sauce: 4 tbsp passata or pizza sauce 1 tsp tomato purée (optional, for richness) ½ tsp dried oregano or...

Chef Savvy

Search This Blog