CURED EGG RECIPES

Steps:

• Whisk salt and sugar in a medium bowl to combine. Evenly spread out half of salt mixture in an 8x8" glass baking dish. Using the back of a tablespoon, create 4 depressions in salt mixture, spacing evenly. Carefully place an egg yolk in each depression. Gently sprinkle remaining salt mixture over yolks and tightly wrap dish with plastic. Chill 4 days.
• Preheat oven to 150°. Brush salt mixture off each yolk, then carefully rinse under cold water to remove any remaining salt (yolks will be semi-firm, bright, and translucent). Gently pat dry with paper towels.
• Generously coat a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray; place yolks on rack. Dry out in oven until opaque and texture is like a firm Gruyère cheese, 1½–2 hours. Let cool. (Alternatively, if your oven doesn’t go that low, you can dry out eggs in an unheated oven for 2 days.)
• Finely grate cured egg yolks over soups, pastas, or salads as you would a hard cheese.
• Do Ahead: Yolks can be cured 1 month ahead. Place in an airtight container and chill.

Steps:

• Place a 1/2 inch thick layer of salt in the bottom of a non-reactive container such as a glass baking pan or Tupperware.
• Use the back of a spoon to create divots for each egg yolk. They can be relatively close together, but the egg yolks should be at least 1/4 inch apart at the sides.
• Separate eggs, being careful not to puncture the yolk. Remove as much egg white as possible and place the yolks in the divots.
• Cover the eggs completely with salt so that you can no longer see any yellow.
• Place the salt covered yolks in the refrigerator to cure for 1 week.
• Remove the yolks, dust off the salt and wrap the yolks in cheesecloth.
• Hang the yolks to dry, in the refrigerator or in a cool dark place (under 50 degrees). Dry for 7 to 10 days.
• Once the yolks are firm and easy to grate, store them tightly covered in the refrigerator.