Best 6 Tequila Cured Salmon Gravlax Recipes

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

Tequila-Cured Salmon Gravlax: A Unique and Flavorful Nordic Delicacy

Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Tequila-Cured Salmon Gravlax, a Nordic delicacy that combines the richness of salmon with the vibrant zest of tequila. This article presents two delectable recipes for this dish: a classic Tequila-Cured Salmon Gravlax and a modern, citrus-infused variation. Both recipes highlight the unique curing process that enhances the salmon's natural flavors, resulting in a tender, flavorful, and visually stunning dish. Discover the art of curing salmon with tequila, along with tips for selecting the best ingredients and achieving the perfect balance of flavors. Embark on a culinary journey as you explore the distinct taste profile of Tequila-Cured Salmon Gravlax, a dish that will tantalize your palate and impress your guests.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

TEQUILA CURED SALMON



Tequila Cured Salmon image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Time P2DT45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 35

One 2-pound salmon fillet, skin on
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
2 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon pureed canned chipotle in adobo
Zest of 3 limes, grated
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups kosher salt
2 cups light brown sugar
2 cups tequila
Pickled Red Onions, recipe follows
Herbed Goat Cream Cheese, recipe follows
Roasted Jalapeno-Cilantro Cream Cheese, recipe follows
Capers
Sliced ripe beefsteak tomatoes
Sesame, everything, poppy seed bagels
1 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 ounces goat cheese
2 tablespoons milk
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 tablespoons milk
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
2 jalapeno chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded and finely diced

Steps:

  • On top of a layer of aluminum foil and plastic wrap (enough to make a pouch), put the salmon on a baking sheet skin-side down. Pat the top dry with paper towels. Combine the coriander, mustard and cumin seeds in a small saute pan over low heat and toast, stirring constantly until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove, let cool slightly and coarsely grind in a coffee grinder.
  • Spread the chipotle over the top of the salmon fillet. Sprinkle the ground spices, lime zest and cilantro over and press into the flesh. Combine the salt and brown sugar in a bowl, drizzle with the tequila and then spread evenly over the salmon. Tightly wrap the salmon in the plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place another baking sheet on top of the salmon and weigh down with bricks wrapped in foil or a heavy cutting board. Refrigerate for 48 hours.
  • Remove the salmon from the refrigerator and scrape off the curing ingredients. When cured, the fish should have a raw appearance and a firm but not hard texture. Slice the salmon against the grain paper thin and serve with accompaniments of choice.
  • Serving Suggestions: .
  • Combine the vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, coriander seeds, mustard seeds and peppercorns in a small saucepan over high heat. Cook until the sugar and salt is dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
  • Put the onions in a medium bowl, pour the vinegar mixture over and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 48 hours before serving.
  • Combine the cream cheese, goat cheese, milk and salt and pepper to taste in a food processor and process until smooth and fluffy. Scrape into a bowl and fold in the scallions and dill.;
  • Combine the cream cheese, milk and salt and pepper to taste in a food processor and process until smooth and fluffy. Scrape into a bowl and fold in the cilantro and jalapeno.;

TEQUILA CURED SALMON GRAVLAX



Tequila Cured Salmon Gravlax image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 8 to 10 servings of appetizer

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 pounds fresh, boneless salmon fillet (skin on), with all pin bones removed
1/4 cup black peppercorns
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup coarse kosherstyle salt
1 small bunch fresh cilantro, washed and dried
1 small bunch fresh clean dill weed
1 small bunch fresh scallions
1/2 cup good quality golden tequila
Culinarygrade cheesecloth to wrap the fillets
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, loosely packed
Sliced pumpernickel bread
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons confectioners sugar
Lime wedges

Steps:

  • Put the peppercorns in a spice mill and crush to a coarse grind. In a bowl combine the pepper, sugar and salt and blend well together.
  • Place the bunches of cilantro, dill, and scallions together in the bowl of a food processor and process until finely chopped.
  • Rinse some cheese cloth under cold running water. Unfold the cheese cloth and lay a large piece out on your work surface. The cloth will have to be large enough to wrap completely around the salmon several times.
  • Choose the freshest salmon possible for this dish as this is a cured but not cooked dish and fresh really counts. Cut the fish fillet into two equal pieces and lay it, skin side down, in the center of the cheesecloth. Spread the sugar, salt, and pepper mixture evenly over the salmon flesh. Spread the chopped herbs in the same manner and then sprinkle the tequila over the herbs. The flesh of the salmon should be totally coated in this curing seasoning.
  • Once all the tequila has been absorbed, sandwich the two fillets together, fleshtoflesh and skinsidesout. Position the fillet "sandwich" in the center of the cloth and wrap as you would a gift, pulling the cloth as tightly as possible around the fillets. Lay the package on a cake cooling rack set over a cookie sheet. The rack allows air to circulate for more efficient drying, while the cookie sheet will catch the liquid extracted during the threeday curing period. Put the weight in a second, smaller cake pan and place it on top of the fish. The weight must be properly and
  • evenly distributed so as to press out the unwanted water.
  • Place the entire curing setup in the bottom, the coldest area, of your refrigerator and begin the 3 day curing process. Remove the weight and flip the fish package over every 24 hours, replacing the weight each time. Drain off and discard any liquid that collects in the pan when you do this. At the end of the 72 hours the fish must be cleaned. Remove the cheesecloth and discard it. Drain any accumulated liquid, scrape off all of the used herbs and salt and pepper. Rinse the fish under cold running water and pat the fish totally dry.
  • The salmon is now fully cured and as entirely edible as smoked salmon but must be kept refrigerated.
  • To serve, finely chop one cup of fresh cilantro and cover the flesh side of the fish. Using a very sharp knife, slice the salmon as thinly as possible, at a 45 degree angle. Your first slices may look a bit rough, but be patient. With a little practice you'll soon be turning out elegant greenedged red ribbons of gravlax.
  • Mix the mustard and confectioner's sugar and serve with pumpernickel and wedges of lime.
  • Weight for weighing down the salmon as it cures, such as unopened plastic bags of dried beans, or gallon jugs of cooking oil .

GRAVLAX



Gravlax image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 58m

Yield 24 servings, as an hors d'oeur

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup sugar
20 crushed white peppercorns
1 (3 pound) salmon fillet, halved
1/2 cup chopped dill stems
Mustard Sauce, recipe follows
1 cup honey mustard
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons water
4 tablespoons sugar
21 ounces vegetable oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Mix together the kosher salt, sugar, and peppercorns. Rub each side of the salmon thoroughly with the salt and sugar mixture and place them in a deep dish, on top of each other, with the dill in between. Wrap with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for about 1 to 2 hours.
  • Place in the refrigerator and allow the salmon to cure for 24 hours. After 24 hours, flip them around so that the bottom piece of salmon is on top, and refrigerate for another 24 hours.
  • After 48 hours, the salmon is ready to be sliced. Slice into paper-thin slices and serve with Mustard Sauce and toast.
  • Serving suggestion: toasts .
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, mix the mustards, water, and sugar. Add the oil slowly, constantly whisking. If you add to much oil at the same time, it might break. Season with vinegar, salt, and pepper.
  • Yield: 24 servings, as an hors d'oeurve

TEQUILA CURED SALMON



Tequila Cured Salmon image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time P1DT20m

Yield 20 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 cups brown sugar
6 cups salt
2 red onions, peeled and roughly chopped
2 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
3 red peppers, cored, seeded and roughly chopped
3 green peppers, cored, seeded and roughly chopped
3 yellow peppers, cored, seeded and roughly chopped
2 lemons, cut into 8 wedges
2 limes, cut into 8 wedges
3 cups tequila
1 (8 to 10 pound) salmon fillet
1 cup black pepper, freshly ground

Steps:

  • Mix together sugar and salt. Puree onions, carrots, peppers, lemons, and limes together in a food processor. Combine sugar mixture and puree. Add tequila. Pour half of the mixture into the bottom of a large pan. Coat flesh side of salmon with pepper. Place salmon in the pan (skin side up). Cover salmon with remaining mixture and place another pan on top with plenty of weight. Refrigerate for 2 days.
  • To serve, slice thinly and place on top of sweet corn cakes, Cachapas or Cuban crackers.
  • Serving suggestion: sweet corn cakes (cachapas) or Cuban crackers.

GRAVLAX



Gravlax image

I think of making my own gravlax - the Nordic sugar-salt cured salmon - as the gentle, blue-square cooking analog of an intermediate ski trail: It's mostly easy, but requires some experience. While butchering a whole salmon and cold smoking what you've butchered are also exhilarating milestones in the life of an advancing home cook (both a little farther up the mountain and a little steeper on the run down), buying a nice fillet and burying it in salt, sugar and a carpet of chopped fresh dill for a few days is a great confidence-building day on the slopes, so to speak. The cured gravlax will last a solid five days once sliced, in the refrigerator. If a whole side of salmon is more than you need at once, the rest freezes very satisfactorily.

Provided by Gabrielle Hamilton

Categories     brunch, dinner, lunch, seafood, main course

Time P5DT30m

Yield 10 to 12 servings (about 3 pounds)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 side clean, fresh and fat Alaskan king salmon, skin on, pin bones removed, neatly trimmed of all undesirable bits of fat and tissue (about 3 to 3 1/2 pounds total), or 1 fat and gorgeous 2 1/2-pound fillet cut from the widest part of the body
1/2 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup finely ground black pepper
2 bunches dill (about 4 ounces each), clean and dry, left intact (no need to pick fronds from stem), coarsely chopped (about 2 cups)
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), left at room temperature for an hour (not hard from the fridge yet not so warm as to be greasy)
1 bunch dill (about 4 ounces), clean and dry, fronds removed from stems, fronds finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
1 medium shallot, peeled and finely minced
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Soft dark pumpernickel sandwich bread

Steps:

  • Cure the salmon: Lay salmon skin-side down, flesh-side up in a glass or stainless-steel baking dish. (A large lasagna dish works well.) In a small bowl, toss together the salt, sugar and pepper until blended. Sprinkle the mixture over the salmon evenly, with abandon, until fully covered, as if under a blanket of snow. Use all of it.
  • Spread all the chopped dill on top of the cure-covered salmon to make a thick, grassy carpet.
  • Lay plastic wrap or parchment paper over the salmon to cover and press down, then place a heavy weight - such as a 2-gallon zip-top bag filled with water - on top, to weigh heavily on the curing fish. Refrigerate just like this, without disturbing, for 5 days, turning the salmon over midway through the cure - on Day 3 - then covering and weighting it again.
  • To serve, mix together the softened butter, dill, shallot and mustard until well blended.
  • Remove salmon from the cure, which has now become liquid, brushing off the dill with a paper towel, then set fillet on a cutting board.
  • With a long, thin, beveled slicing knife tilted toward the horizon, slice salmon thinly, stopping short of cutting through the skin. Generally, you begin slicing a few inches from the tail end and you slice in the direction of the tail, moving your knife back, slice by slice, toward the fatter, wider belly portion of the fillet. The last slices are always hard to get. Once you have shingled the fillet, run your knife between skin and flesh, releasing all the slices, then transfer them to parchment until ready to serve.
  • Spread the compound butter on bread, then drape sliced gravlax on top, and eat as open-faced sandwiches.

MARK BITTMAN'S GRAVLAX



Mark Bittman's Gravlax image

Use king or sockeye salmon from a good source. In either case, the fish must be spanking fresh. Gravlax keeps for a week after curing; and, though it's not an ideal solution, you can successfully freeze gravlax for a few weeks.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories     breakfast, brunch, lunch, condiments, project, appetizer

Time P1DT15m

Yield At least 12 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 3- to 4-pound cleaned salmon without the head, skin on
1 cup salt
2 cups brown sugar
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup spirits, like brandy, gin, aquavit or lemon vodka
2 good-size bunches of fresh dill, roughly chopped, stems and all
Lemon wedges for serving

Steps:

  • Fillet the salmon or have the fishmonger do it; the fish need not be scaled. Lay both halves, skin side down, on a plate.
  • Toss together the salt, brown sugar and pepper and rub this mixture all over the salmon (the skin too); splash on the spirits. Put most of the dill on the flesh side of one of the fillets, sandwich them together, tail to tail, and rub any remaining salt-sugar mixture on the outside; cover with any remaining dill, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Cover the sandwich with another plate and top with something that weighs a couple of pounds -- some unopened cans, for example. Refrigerate.
  • Open the package every 12 to 24 hours and baste, inside and out, with the accumulated juices. When the flesh is opaque, on the second or third day (you will see it changing when you baste it), slice thinly as you would smoked salmon -- on the bias and without the skin -- and serve with rye bread or pumpernickel and lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 379, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 24 grams, Fat 18 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 27 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 377 milligrams, Sugar 23 grams

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality salmon for the best results.
  • Make sure to use a clean, sharp knife to slice the salmon.
  • The salmon should be cured for at least 24 hours, but no longer than 72 hours.
  • When curing the salmon, keep it in a cool, dark place.
  • Rinse the salmon thoroughly before slicing and serving.
  • Serve the salmon with your favorite accompaniments, such as crackers, bread, or vegetables.

Conclusion:

Tequila-cured salmon gravlax is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main course. It is perfect for special occasions or everyday meals. With its unique flavor and elegant presentation, tequila-cured salmon gravlax is sure to impress your guests. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy salmon, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics