Spiced home-cured salmon

Ever the versatile fish, this fresh, no-cook salmon starter can be made a few days ahead

  • Prep:30 mins
    Plus 2 days curing
  • Easy

Nutrition per serving

  • kcal 87
  • fat 3g
  • saturates 1g
  • carbs 2g
  • sugars 2g
  • fibre 0g
  • protein 12g
  • salt 3.45g

Ingredients

  • 400g/14oz whole piece of skinless, boneless salmon fillet
  • 85g coarse sea salt
  • 85g caster sugar
  • 1 star anise, seeds removed and crushed
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds, crushed
  • few fresh coriander stalks, chopped
  • 1cm piece ginger, roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp dry sherry
  • 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp dry sherry
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 small red chilli, deseeded and diced
  • few drops sesame oil
  • sprinkling caster sugar, to taste
  • small handful each dill, coriander and mint leaves
  • ½ mouli (Japanese radish), peeled and shaved into ribbons with a potato peeler

Method

  1. Put the salmon fillet into a small tray on a double layer of cling film. In a bowl, mix the salt and sugar with the spices, coriander stalks and ginger, then scatter the mix over both sides of the fish and pat it down. Drizzle over the Sherry and wrap the fish in the cling film. Place another tray on top, weight it down with a few tins, then chill for 2 days, flipping the fish over each day.

  2. Mix all the dressing ingredients and stir until the sugar has dissolved. If the flavour is too strong, dilute it slightly with a drop of water, then set aside.

  3. To serve, unwrap the salmon and wipe it clean, then briefly rinse it and pat dry with kitchen paper. Using a sharp knife, slice the fish quite thinly and arrange on plates with the mouli, then sprinkle with the herbs and drizzle over the dressing.

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