I love to serve this salmon with a salad of thinly shaved fennel, fennel fronds and cucumber tossed with a little olive oil and lemon juice. A bowl of crème fraîche thinned with the juice of a lemon and seasoned with salt and pepper is also a delicious accompaniment.
Serves: 10-12
INGREDIENTS
1 side of salmon, skin off and pin bones removed (about 1 kilogram)
Curing mix
1 teaspoon each whole fennel seed and aniseed (see Cook’s note)
½ teaspoon ground pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
finely grated zest 1 large lemon
6 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons sea salt
2 tablespoons ouzo
METHOD
Curing mix: Lightly toast the seeds in a dry sauté pan then roughly grind in a mortar and pestle. Tip into a bowl and use your fingers to rub in the pepper, thyme, lemon zest, sugar and salt. Add the ouzo and stir to form a mixture resembling wet sand.
To assemble: Line a tray or plate with a large piece of clingfilm, leaving enough overhanging to cover the tray or plate again. Sprinkle half the curing mix over the flat side of the salmon and place on the clingfilm, cured side down. Sprinkle over the remaining cure, patting it onto the flesh. Use the overhanging clingfilm to wrap up and cover completely. Refrigerate for 24 hours.
To serve: Scrape the cure off the salmon and wipe the flesh clean with damp paper towels. Slice thinly with a sharp knife. Serve with fennel salad and crème fraîche, if desired.
Cook’s note: Aniseed is not the same as star anise. Aniseed is the spice used to make the French drink pastis and is widely used in Europe and the Middle East to flavour breads and cakes. Star anise is a small star-shaped spice with 5-6 points, each containing a seed. It is used in Chinese five spice and many Asian recipes. Aniseed is available from gourmet and specialty food stores.
Keep up to date with
dish weekly recipes,
food news, and events.
Related Content
latest issue:
Issue #120
As the days become shorter, and the nights cooler, the latest issue is perfectly timed to deliver delicious autumn dishes. From recipes using fresh seasonal produce such as feijoas and apples, to spectacular soothing soups and super-quick after-work meals in our Food Fast section, we’ve got you covered. With Easter on the horizon, we feature recipes that will see you through breakfast, lunch and dinner over a leisurely weekend holiday, and whip up chocolatey baking treats sure to please. We round up delicious dinners for two and showcase a hot new Korean cookbook before heading south to Dunedin to check out all that’s new in food and dining.The latest issue of dish is on sale NOW at all good bookstores and supermarkets – don’t miss it!