Dazzling Beetroot Cured Salmon Recipes

Steps:

• Finely grate the beetroot and mix with the lemon zest, tarragon, sugar and salt.
• 2 Line a shallow dish with several layers of cling film in different directions, so it hangs over the edges. Spoon in half the beetroot mixture, drizzle with half the gin and put the salmon fillet on top. Spread the rest of the beetroot mix on top of the salmon, drizzle over the rest of the gin, then wrap as tightly as possible in the cling film. Leave to cure in the fridge for 48-72 hrs, turning the salmon occasionally (the longer you leave it, the firmer it becomes). Drain off any liquid as it escapes.
• When the salmon is cured, scrape off the salt mixture really well, then rinse with cold water and dry well.
• For the salad, put the sugar in a pan with 2 tbsp water and melt over a low heat. Bring to the boil and bubble until you have a golden caramel. Add the walnuts and mix together to coat. Tip onto a baking sheet lined with greased baking parchment and leave to cool.
• Segment the citrus fruits over a bowl to catch the juice. Cut each segment into two or three pieces. Mix 4 tbsp of the juice with a pinch of salt and sugar, and plenty of black pepper. Whisk in the oil.
• Finely slice the salmon. Divide the watercress and fruit segments between eight plates, then top with salmon. Scatter over the walnuts, drizzle over the dressing and serve.

Steps:

• Lay the salmon fillets, skin side down, on a board and brush your hand along it. If you feel any little pin bones pinch them out with your fingers or tweezers. In a bowl, mix all of the other ingredients for the salmon together to make the cure.
• Stretch two large sheets of cling film over a work surface and spoon over some of the cure. Lay one of the fillets, skin side down, on the cure, then pack over most of the cure, and sandwich with the remaining fillet, skin side up. Top with the last of the cure and wrap both fillets together tightly with lots of cling film. Place in a container with sides, like a large roasting tray, put a smaller tray on top and weigh it down with a couple of tins. Leave in the fridge for at least three days or up to a week. Don't be alarmed by the amount of liquid that leaks out, this is normal. Once a day, pour away the liquid, turn the salmon and re-apply the weights.
• To serve, unwrap the salmon from the cling film and brush off the marinade. Slice the salmon into thin slivers. Make the dressing by mixing all the ingredients together with some salt and pepper. Toss all the salad ingredients together and serve each guest with a few slices of salmon, a handful of salad and drizzle with the dressing. Once made the salmon will sit happily in the fridge for up to a week and can be used just like smoked salmon.