Description
This is a kind of make-ahead salmon, low effort, big payoff, and it always feels a bit special. It’s salty, gently sweet, citrusy, and sliced thin enough to melt on the plate.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 400 g fresh Norwegian salmon, skin on, pin bones removed
- 400 g coarse salt
- 400 g white sugar
- 62.5 ml - 1/4 cup brandy, optional but recommended
- 125 ml - 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- 25 ml - 37.5 ml - 2 to 3 tbsp prepared mustard
- 1 handful fresh dill, finely chopped
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
To Serve
- 125 ml - 1/2 cup creme fraiche or horseradish sauce
- 1 small red chilli, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Rocket leaves
- Baby tomatoes
- Radishes
- Cucumber balls or thin slices
- Lemon wedges
- Baby spring onions
Croutons
- 1 bread roll
- 12.5 ml - 25 ml - 1 to 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Pat the 400 g fresh Norwegian salmon dry with paper towels and check again for pin bones.
- Leave the skin on; it helps hold everything together while curing.
- In a bowl, mix the 400 g coarse salt and 400 g white sugar until well combined.
- Scatter a thin layer of the salt mixture over the base of a non-reactive dish (A non-reactive dish is made from materials that do not chemically react with acidic or alkaline ingredients).
- Place the salmon on top, skin-side down.
- Sprinkle the remaining salt mixture evenly over the flesh, making sure it’s fully covered.
- Pour over the 1/4 cup brandy, 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, and sprinkle the zest of 1/2 lemon evenly on top.
- Cover tightly, place a small weight on top, and refrigerate for ±36 hours. Turn the salmon every 12 hours so it cures evenly.
- Once cured, rinse the salmon thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt and sugar.
- Pat very dry with paper towels. The fish should feel firm but not hard.
- Spread a thin, even layer of 2 to 3 tbsp prepared mustard over the surface.
- Sprinkle with the fresh dill and finish with a generous crack of black pepper.
- For the sauce, mix the 1/2 cup creme fraiche or horseradish sauce with the 1 chopped chili and 1 minced garlic clove. Chill until ready to serve.
- Slice the salmon into thin slivers using a long, sharp knife, cutting at a slight angle.
Croutons
- Slice the 1 bread roll into thin rings.
- Brush lightly with 1 to 2 tbsp olive oil.
- Toast on a hot griddle over medium heat until golden and crisp on both sides.
To Serve
- Arrange the salmon with rocket, baby tomatoes, radishes, cucumber, spring onions, and lemon wedges.
- Add the croutons on the side and serve with the chili-garlic creme fraiche.
Notes
Created, prepared, tried, and tested Gail


