CURED SALMON RECIPES

Steps:

• Bring about 1 inch of water to a boil in a large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket. Add potatoes, cover and steam until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Spread on a plate or clean cutting board in a single layer until cool.
• Arrange salmon, the potatoes, onion, cucumber, radishes, tomatoes, eggs, roe, capers and lemon wedges on a platter (or platters). Sprinkle with chopped dill and pepper. Garnish with fresh dill sprigs, if desired.

Steps:

• 1. Up to two weeks ahead of the big day, or at least 48 hours before you want to serve, scrub the beets and horseradish, then coarsely grate them into a bowl. Finely grate in the lemon zest, then add the salt, sugar and vodka. Mix together well.
  2. Place the salmon in a large tray and cover with the beetroot cure, patting everything down to ensure all of the flesh is in contact with it, then cover tightly with cling film. Place a weight on top to help pack everything down, then chill in the fridge for 36 hours, or until the salmon is cured and firm to the touch.
  3. Carefully unwrap the fish and remove it from the curing mixture. Run it under a tap to wash away any excess, draining all the juices, then pat dry with kitchen paper.
  4. Pick and finely chop the dill, then scatter it over the salmon flesh. Tightly wrap in cling film once again, then weigh it down and pop it back in the fridge.
  5. To make the scones, preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/gas 5. Tip the yoghurt into a large mixing bowl.
  6. Use the empty yoghurt pot to measure out one pot each of rye flour and self-raising flour and add it to the yoghurt, along with the honey, 1 egg, bicarbonate of soda and a large pinch of sea salt. Stir with a fork until everything just comes together, then get in there with your hands and shape the dough into a ball. Dust a clean surface with flour and flatten the dough into a large disc, roughly 2.5cm thick.
  7. Grease a couple of large baking trays with oil. Stamp out 24 rounds with a 5cm crinkle cutter, dipping the cutter in flour if the dough starts to stick, and place them on the trays. Beat the remaining egg and use it to eggwash the scones, then sprinkle over the oats. Bake in the centre of the oven for 20–25 minutes, until puffed up and golden.
  8. Meanwhile, make the horseradish cream. Put the crème fraîche in a bowl and finely grate in the horseradish and lemon zest. Mix well and season to taste, squeezing in a little lemon juice if you like.
  9. To serve, use a long sharp knife to slice the salmon thinly at an angle, then dish it up with the warm scones and horseradish cream. Delicious with good quality butter, a little bunch of fresh cress, lemon wedges and a shot of Christmas-infused vodka (see tip below).