Best 4 Gin And Juniper Cured Salmon Scandinavian Gravlax Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Scandinavian Gravlax, a traditional Nordic dish that combines the freshness of salmon with the aromatic essence of gin and juniper berries. This cured salmon recipe boasts three variations: a classic gin and juniper Gravlax, a zesty citrus Gravlax, and an aromatic herb Gravlax. Embark on a culinary journey as we explore the art of curing salmon, transforming it into a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy that will tantalize your taste buds. Discover the secrets behind this centuries-old preservation technique, ensuring the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Prepare to impress your family and friends with this exceptional dish, perfect for any special occasion or as a delightful everyday treat.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

SIMPLE, HOMEMADE SALMON GRAVLAX



Simple, Homemade Salmon Gravlax image

Gravlax, or Scandinavian-style cold-cured salmon, is easy to make with this recipe. It's delicious on crackers or with cream cheese on a bagel.

Provided by Molly Watson

Categories     Appetizer     Breakfast     Brunch

Time P1DT30m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 salmon fillets (2 to 3 pounds each, skin on)
1/4 cup aquavit (or vodka)
1/3 cup fine sea salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon black pepper
Optional: 1/4 cup chopped dill

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Rinse the salmon fillets and pat them dry thoroughly.
  • Use tweezers or pliers to pull out any pin bones, if necessary.
  • Drizzle the aquavit or vodka evenly over the flesh of each fillet.
  • In a small bowl, combine the salt, sugar, and pepper.
  • Divide the mixture into 3 even piles within the bowl.
  • Divide one of the thirds of curing mix in half and place on a rimmed baking sheet or baking pan in the shape of one of the fillets.
  • Lay a fillet skin-side down on the mixture. Spread a third of the curing mixture on the flesh of that fillet.
  • Spread the remaining third of the curing mixture on the flesh side of the other fillet. Sprinkle the dill, if using, over both fillets.
  • Lay the second fillet flesh to flesh on the first fillet. Sprinkle the remaining curing mixture over the skin of the top fillet.
  • Cover the fillets and baking sheet or pan with foil or plastic wrap. Place a cutting board or second baking sheet on top of the covered fish and top it with something heavy (cans, pots, or pans) to weigh the fish down. Place it all in the fridge and let chill for about 12 hours or overnight.
  • Remove from the fridge, unwrap, and discard the accumulated liquid in the pan. Turn over the fillets so the bottom one is on top.
  • Cover the pan, weigh down the fish again, and return to the refrigerator. Let chill another 12 hours.
  • The fish is now cured and ready to serve, but it will continue to benefit from another 12 to 24 hours of being weighed down and chilled, so feel free to repeat these steps a second time around.
  • When ready to eat, pat dry, and thinly slice the gravlax against the grain using a very sharp knife.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250 kcal, Carbohydrate 3 g, Cholesterol 71 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 25 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 1625 mg, Sugar 3 g, Fat 14 g, ServingSize 1 to 2 pounds (24 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g

GIN AND JUNIPER CURED SALMON - SCANDINAVIAN GRAVLAX



Gin and Juniper Cured Salmon - Scandinavian Gravlax image

This is a slightly different Gravlax recipe than normal, as it uses gin and juniper for a clean, sophisticated and fresh taste - if you are not keen on gin - you could use vodka instead! Junipers can also be replaced by a few extra peppercorns. Gravlax (pronounced grov-lox) is from the Swedish name for this dish. Norwegians call it gravlaks and the Danish refer to it as Gravad laks. It literally means "buried salmon" and the name refers to the traditional method of preparation for this food: fresh salmon was heavy salted and buried in dry sand to ferment and cure.

Provided by French Tart

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time P2DT10m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 kg fresh salmon, tail
2 ounces maldon crystal salt
3 ounces granulated sugar
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black peppercorns
6 tablespoons gin
2 teaspoons crushed juniper berries
2 tablespoons fresh dill, roughly chopped
mayonnaise
whole grain mustard
sugar
fresh dill

Steps:

  • Remove the bone from the salmon, leaving two triangular fillets with the skin intact.
  • To make the curing mixture, mix together the Maldon Crystal Salt, sugar and peppercorns,juniper berries and the gin.
  • Place the salmon, skin side down, on a board and place half of the curing mixture over the surface of each fillet, pressing it well into the flesh. Now cover each fillet with the chopped dill.
  • Place one fillet on top of the other to make a sandwich with the dill in the centre and the skin on the outside. Wrap tightly in Clingfilm and place on a shallow dish or plate. Place a plate over the top and weight with a heavy tin. Put in the fridge for 24 - 48 hours turning the gravalax twice during the curing time.
  • Unwrap the gravlax and slice thinly Serve with rye bread and a sauce made from equal quantities of mayonnaise and wholegrain mustard mixed with a little sugar and chopped dill.

JUNIPER-AND-GIN GRAVLAX



Juniper-and-Gin Gravlax image

Curing your own salmon is worth the effort. This Swedish-inspired version calls for marinating the fish with citrus zest, juniper berries, dill, and gin. You'll be proud to serve this homemade treat as an appetizer at your next dinner party.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Appetizers

Time P3DT45m

Yield Serves 8 to 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

3/4 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons packed grated zest from 2 lemons, 2 limes, and 1 orange
1 tablespoon coarsely ground pepper
2 tablespoons coarsely ground juniper berries
1 cup chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup gin, such as Hendrick's
1 1/2 to 2 pounds sushi-grade salmon, skin on, pin bones removed
Meyer-Lemon Relish, for serving
Salmon roe, crackers or crostini, capers, creme fraiche, shaved fennel, and sliced red onion, for serving

Steps:

  • Combine salt, sugar, zest, pepper, juniper, and dill in a bowl. Add gin; stir until mixture resembles wet sand.
  • Rinse salmon and pat dry. Line a baking sheet with plastic; scatter one-third of sugar mixture on it. Lay salmon, skin-side down, on sugar mixture; spread remaining mixture evenly over top. Wrap tightly in the plastic; place a second baking sheet on top and weigh down with canned goods. Refrigerate, flipping fish and pouring off excess liquid every 24 hours, for 3 days. Rinse excess sugar mixture off salmon; pat dry.
  • Place fish flesh-side down, and slide the tip of a long, sharp knife between flesh and skin at a short end. Using a paper towel to grip, gently pull skin off. Flip fish; thinly slice at a 45-degree angle. Serve with relish, roe, crackers, capers, creme fraiche, fennel, and onion.

GRAVADLAX



Gravadlax image

Cure your own salmon, Scandinavian-style, with dill, juniper, and lemon and serve with a mustard sauce

Provided by Barney Desmazery

Time P2D

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 x 500g pieces skin-on organic salmon fillet, both cut from the centre of the fish. Ask your fishmonger to pin-bone it for you
75g flaky sea salt
75g golden caster sugar
1 tsp black peppercorn, roughly crushed
zest of 1 lemon
8 juniper berries, crushed (optional)
small bunch (about 20g) dill, roughly chopped
2 tbsp gin (optional)
pumpernickel sauce, to serve
small bunch (about 20g) dill, roughly chopped
4 tbsp each Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, honey and sunflower oil
2 tbsp muscovado sugar

Steps:

  • Pat the salmon dry with kitchen paper and run your hands over the flesh to see if there are any stray small bones - if there are, use a pair of tweezers to pull them out. Set the salmon fillets aside.
  • Tip the salt, sugar, peppercorns, lemon zest, juniper and dill into a food processor and blitz until you have a bright green, wet salt mixture or 'cure'. Unravel some cling film but keep it attached to the roll. Lay the first fillet of salmon skin-side down and then pack the cure over the flesh. Drizzle with gin, if using and top with the 2nd fillet, flesh-side down. Roll the sandwiched fillets tightly in cling film to create a package.
  • Place the fish in a shallow baking dish or shallow-sided tray and lay another tray on top. Weigh the tray down with a couple of tins or bottles and place in the fridge for at least 48 hrs or up to 4 days, turning the fish over every 12 hours or so. The longer you leave it, the more cured it will become.
  • To make the sauce, tip all the sauce ingredients into a blender. Blitz until you have a thickened dressing.
  • To serve, unwrap the fish and brush off the marinade with kitchen paper. Rinse it if you like. You can slice the fish classically into long thin slices, leaving the skin behind, or remove the skin it and slice it straight down. Serve the sliced fish on a large platter or individual plates with pumpernickel bread, dill and mustard sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 288 calories, Fat 15.9 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2.5 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 15.2 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 15.2 grams sugar, Fiber 0.1 grams fiber, Protein 20.8 grams protein, Sodium 4.3 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Choose the freshest salmon possible. Fresh salmon will have a vibrant color and a mild, briny smell. Avoid salmon that is dull in color or has a strong, fishy odor.
  • Use a sharp knife to slice the salmon. A sharp knife will help you make clean, even slices that will cure evenly. The ideal thickness for salmon gravlax is about 1/2-inch.
  • Don't skimp on the cure. The cure is what flavors the salmon, so it's important to use enough of it. The general rule is to use 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of sugar per pound of salmon.
  • Cure the salmon for at least 24 hours. The longer you cure the salmon, the more flavorful it will be. However, don't cure it for more than 3 days, or it will become too salty.
  • Serve the salmon gravlax with your favorite accompaniments. Some popular accompaniments include dill, capers, red onion, and lemon slices. You can also serve it on a bagel or cracker.

Conclusion:

Gin and juniper cured salmon is a delicious and simple dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer or main course. It's perfect for a special occasion or a casual get-together. With a little planning, you can easily make this dish at home.

Related Topics