SALMON LOAF WITH CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven at 325ºF.
• Combine the salmon with the butter.
• Add salt (to taste), lemon juice, grated onion, grated garlic, parsley and dill.
• Soak the breadcrumbs in milk.
• Add the beaten eggs.
• Add the Parmesan.
• Stir the breadcrumb mixture into the salmon mixture.
• If the mixture seems too dry at this point, add a little of the reserved brine (about a teaspoon at a time) or if you have more lemon juice available, a little more lemon juice (a teaspoon at a time).
• Spoon the mixture into a lightly greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.
• Bake at 325°F for 45 minutes, or until cooked.
• THE SAUCE: grate the cucumber.
• Melt the butter in a pan over a medium-low heat.
• Blend in the flour.
• Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened and bubbly.
• Add the grated cucumber and paprika.
• Stir to blend.
• Serve with the salmon loaf and your favourite salad or vegetable side dishes.
• Chef's notes: This loaf can be made with red or pink salmon. Red is tastier. For the health-conscious, use the salt-reduced or salt-free varieties. And omit - or reduce - the salt in the recipe. I made this again recently, after MarieAlice's review - I hadn't made it for years and years. And not being very good at following recipes exactly whether they be mine or someone else's, I just HAD TO make some changes. I added several grated baby carrots (they are just so sweet and flavoursome at the moment) and several tablespoons of wheat germ. Then in order to retain the moistness, I added some extra lemon juice. And I discovered also that this is one of those recipes that is tastier cold!