Best Arctic Char Gravlaks With Cucumber Jelly Recipes

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ARCTIC CHAR GRAVLAKS WITH CUCUMBER JELLY



Arctic Char Gravlaks with Cucumber Jelly image

Gravlaks - fish cured with salt, sugar, and dill - is usually made with salmon, but we like the milder flavor of arctic char for this particular dish. Keep in mind before starting to cure your fish that you will need to turn it every 12 hours for a total of 36 hours.

Yield Makes 6 first-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 (1 1/4-lb) center-cut piece arctic char fillet with skin, pin bones removed
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
3 cups coarsely chopped fresh dill (from 2 large bunches)
3 seedless cucumbers (usually plastic-wrapped; 3 lb total)
3/4 teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin (from 1 envelope)
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1 tablespoon tiny fresh dill fronds
Accompaniment: thin Scandinavian crispbread such as Kavli

Steps:

  • Pat fish dry, then transfer, skin side up, to a large sheet of plastic wrap. Stir together sugar, salt, and pepper, then rub 3 tablespoons of mixture onto skin of fish. Turn fish over and thickly coat with remaining sugar mixture, then pack dill on top.
  • Wrap fish tightly in 2 or 3 layers of plastic wrap (to prevent leakage; salt mixture will liquefy as fish cures) and transfer to a large shallow baking pan. Put another baking pan or a cutting board on top of fish and weight down with 3 or 4 full cans (about 3 lb total). Let fish cure, chilled, turning wrapped fillet over roughly every 12 hours and then replacing weight, for 36 hours total.
  • Peel cucumbers, making sure to remove all green (for a clearer jelly), then halve lengthwise and core. Coarsely chop cucumbers and purée in a food processor until smooth, then drain in a large fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl, pressing hard on solids to extract 2 cups liquid. Discard solids.
  • Stir together salt and 1/2 cup cucumber liquid in a small saucepan and sprinkle with gelatin. Let stand 1 minute to soften, then heat over moderate heat, stirring, just until gelatin is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Cool mixture to room temperature, then stir into remaining 1 1/2 cups cucumber liquid along with vinegar. Pour mixture into an 8-inch square glass baking dish and sprinkle with dill fronds, pressing gently to submerge. Chill, covered, until set, at least 8 hours.
  • Unwrap gravlaks, discarding liquid, and gently scrape off dill. Transfer gravlaks, skin side down, to a cutting board. Holding a very sharp long thin-bladed knife at a 30-degree angle, cut gravlaks across the grain into very thin slices, being careful not to cut through skin. Discard skin.
  • Cut jelly into 6 pieces and divide among 6 plates with a metal spatula. Serve with several slices of gravlaks.

PICKLED ARCTIC CHAR WITH HORSERADISH CREAM AND LEMON-MARINATED CUCUMBER



Pickled Arctic Char with Horseradish Cream and Lemon-Marinated Cucumber image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 1h40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

6 ounces boneless, skinless Arctic char
Kosher salt, as needed
4 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoon sugar
1 (1-inch piece) fresh peeled ginger, chopped
1 English cucumber, cut into 2-inch sections
2 lemons, juiced
1-inch section lemon peel
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons chopped dill
Sea salt
2 tablespoons grated fresh horseradish
2 tablespoons whipped cream
1 tablespoon sour cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Thinly sliced whole wheat bread (about 3 by 3-inches wide), as needed
  • To make the Arctic Char: Thinly slice the Arctic char into 1/4-inch thick slices and rub them with kosher salt. In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, and ginger. Put the arctic char in the vinegar mix and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • To make the Lemon-Marinated Cucumber Salad: Using a Japanese-style mandolin, julienne the cucumber and transfer to a bowl. Add the lemon juice and peel, sugar, and dill. Season with sea salt, to taste.
  • To make the Horseradish Cream: In a bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • To serve, spread the bread slices with the cream and top with the Arctic char and cucumber salad.

Arctic char gravlaks with cucumber jelly is an exquisite dish that originates from the Scandinavian region. It is a dish made with fresh arctic char, a type of salmon, cured in sugar, salt, and dill. The cucumber jelly, made with cucumber juice, provides the perfect accompaniment to the gravlaks. It is a dish that is refreshing, flavorful, and healthy.

What is Arctic Char Gravlaks?

Arctic char gravlaks is a Scandinavian culinary specialty made by curing arctic char in a mixture of sugar, salt, and dill. This curing process is known as "gravlaks," and it translates to "buried salmon" in Swedish. Originally, this process was used to preserve fish for long journeys or during the winter. However, today, it is considered a delicacy and is enjoyed all year round.

Ingredients for Arctic Char Gravlaks

To make arctic char gravlaks, you will need the following ingredients:
  • Fresh arctic char
  • Coarse salt
  • Granulated sugar
  • Fresh dill
  • Pepper

Preparation Method for Arctic Char Gravlaks

To prepare arctic char gravlaks, follow these steps:
  1. Clean and rinse the arctic char fillet.
  2. Mix the salt and sugar together in a small bowl.
  3. Place the arctic char fillet on a large sheet of plastic wrap.
  4. Season the arctic char fillet with the salt and sugar mixture.
  5. Sprinkle a handful of fresh dill over the fillet.
  6. Wrap the arctic char fillet tightly in the plastic wrap.
  7. Place the wrapped fillet in a dish and let it marinate in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours.
  8. After marinating, remove the fillet from the plastic wrap and rinse it under cold water.
  9. Pat dry the fillet with paper towels.
  10. Slice the fillet thinly on an angle.
  11. Sprinkle pepper over the sliced arctic char gravlaks.

What is Cucumber Jelly?

Cucumber jelly is a refreshing and light condiment that complements the richness of the arctic char gravlaks perfectly. It is a jelly made with cucumber juice, sugar, and gelatin. The jelly has a delicate flavor that is a perfect contrast to the gravlaks.

Ingredients for Cucumber Jelly

To make the cucumber jelly, you will need the following ingredients:
  • Cucumber juice
  • Granulated sugar
  • Gelatin

Preparation Method for Cucumber Jelly

To make the cucumber jelly, follow these steps:
  1. Place the cucumber juice and sugar in a small saucepan.
  2. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Sprinkle the gelatin over the cucumber mixture and whisk until the gelatin dissolves.
  4. Pour the mixture into a small container and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
  5. Cut the jelly into small cubes and serve with the arctic char gravlaks.

Serving Suggestions for Arctic Char Gravlaks with Cucumber Jelly

Arctic Char Gravlaks with Cucumber Jelly is a perfect appetizer for any occasion. The colorful and flavorful dish can be served on a platter garnished with fresh herbs, lemon wedges, and dill. It can also be served on mini toasts, blinis, or cucumbers for a unique and elegant presentation. Pair it with a sparkling white wine or champagne for a classic Scandinavian experience.

Conclusion

Arctic Char Gravlaks with Cucumber Jelly is a delicious and healthy dish that is easy to make and perfect for any occasion. The sweetness of the gravlaks and the refreshing taste of the cucumber jelly create an explosion of flavors in your mouth. Try this dish at home, and impress your guests with its unique Scandinavian charm.
Arctic Char Gravlaks with Cucumber Jelly Recipes are widely popular among those who love to try something different yet delicious. However, preparing the recipe accurately may seem overwhelming for many people. Therefore, in this article, we have gathered some effective and valuable tips which would help you to make the best Arctic Char Gravlaks with Cucumber Jelly Recipes at home.

Tip #1: Know the Ingredients Perfectly

Before starting, it is essential to know the ingredients of the recipe perfectly. Gravlaks includes the fish, salt, sugar, and dill alongside some other supportive ingredients. Whereas in cucumber jelly, cucumber, agar agar, lime juice, sugar are used predominantly. Understanding the role of each of the ingredients and balancing them accurately can help you achieve the perfect taste of the dish.

Tip #2: Prepare the Fish Accurately

Preparing the fish accurately is one of the most vital steps of making the Arctic Char Gravlaks. It is important to note that selecting the freshest fish is mandatory. Use a sharp knife to fillet the fish and remove the bones. Then, cover it with the salt, sugar, and other ingredients and wrap it in cling film. Allow it to refrigerate for a minimum of 24 hours.

Tip #3: Consider the Cucumber Jelly Process

The making of the cucumber jelly plays a significant role in the final outcome of the dish. To prepare the jelly, you will first have to puree the cucumber, then heat it up in a saucepan with the lime juice and sugar. Gradually, you will need to add the agar-agar powder into the mixture until it dissolves compeletely. After that, you can strain the mixture before allowing it to set in the freezer for a minimum of three hours. It is best to avoid over-filling of the jelly frames to prevent any delay in setting time.

Tip #4: Balance the Flavors

Balancing flavors in any recipe is important. In Arctic Char Gravlaks with Cucumber Jelly Recipes, this is even truer. The sweet, sour, and salty flavors have to be balanced correctly to get the perfect taste. Adding either too much sweetness, saltiness, or sourness to the recipe can spoil the whole dish. Therefore, make sure to taste every component of the recipe before adding it to the dish.

Tip #5: Presentation is Key

The presentation of any dish plays a crucial role in its perception. In Arctic Char Gravlaks with Cucumber Jelly recipes, presentation is especially important. The dish is essentially a cold dish, so it needs to look visually appealing to attract the eaters. Use cucumber slices, dill, or any other visually appealing ingredient to enhance the dish's presentation.

Tip #6: Experiment with Garnishing

As mentioned above, presentation plays a vital role in any dish. Experimenting with garnishes is one way to achieve this. Adding different types of herbs, vegetables or fruits can give an exotic presentation to the dish. However, make sure to add only those which complement the flavor of the recipe.

Tip #7: Pairing Matters

Pairing the right wine with your Arctic Char Gravlaks and Cucumber Jelly is very important. The right wine can enhance the taste of the dish and give you a great culinary experience. It is best to pair it with white wine or rose wine such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, or Rose wines while having the dish.

Tip #8: Present it in a Chilled Plate

As mentioned previously, the Arctic Char Gravlaks with Cucumber Jelly recipe is a cold dish. Therefore, it is necessary to serve it chilled. Use a chilled plate to present the dish. This will help maintain the chill of the dish, giving you a fresh tasting experience until the end.

Tip #9: Don't Overlook the Details

In any recipe, the details matter. In the case of Arctic Char Gravlaks with Cucumber Jelly, even tiny details like ensuring the fish ingredients are balanced correctly or the jelly is perfectly set, plays a crucial role in the complete recipe. Therefore, it is best to pay attention to even the smallest of details to achieve the perfect dish to serve to your guests.

Conclusion

Arctic Char Gravlaks with Cucumber Jelly Recipes are a treat to the taste buds. However, it can be challenging to get the dish right without proper preparation. The tips mentioned above serve as valuable insights into what you can do better to perfect your dish. Balancing flavors and paying close attention to details - this is what can make your Arctic Char Gravlaks with Cucumber Jelly recipe stand out.

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