Bourbon Brown Sugar Gravlox

You can easily make your own Gravlox. Gravlox is a raw salmon that is cured with salt and sugar and any other seasonings. I have used bourbon, brown sugar, salt, fresh grated horseradish, dill and lemon to create my version. This is a nice thing to prepare for a party or simply to have on hand for crackers or bagels. I have also created a sour cream sauce with similar flavours to serve with it. 

You can create your own favourite combinations to create a version that you love.

You will need:

• 1 side of salmon (I prefer the wild)
• 4 tbsp kosher salt
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• fresh cracked pepper
• 2 tbsp horseradish (fresh grated or from a jar is fine)
• 1-2 tbsp grated lemon zest
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 2 tbsp vermouth 
• fresh dill to cover fish

Sauce

• 1 small container sour cream (250 gr)
• 2 tbsp fresh dill- chopped fine
• 1 tsp grated lemon zest
• 1/2 lemon juiced
• salt/pepper

Step 1: get a nice piece of fresh fish( if possible). Make sure it has all the bones removed. Place fish on a piece of plastic wrap and then on a long plate or container with a rim. Grate pepper and horseradish directly on the fish.

Step 2: take salt and sugar and mix in a small bowl. Set aside for a moment.  Grate the lemon zest on to fish.

Step 3: add the sugar and salt mix to the flesh side leaving half the mix to rub on the skin side later. Drizzle over the bourbon and vermouth.

Step 4: place the fresh dill on top and using the plastic wrap flip fish over and sprinkle the remaining salt sugar on the back and also some dill.

Step 5: wrap fish tightly in plastic and place in fridge with a weight pressed on top. I used some large cans of tomatoes. Leave in the fridge for 24 hours. Flip fish over and return the weight to the top of the fish and leave another 24 hours. Let fish cure for 2 days.

Step 6: remove all the toppings and scrape off the salt. Rinse the fish under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Slice very thin slices on the diagonal for an appetizer or bagel. Only cut what you need and the rest can stay in the fridge.

Step 7: In a small bowl add sour cream, chopped dill, lemon zest, lemon juice salt and pepper for a topping or spread. 

Great as an appetizer or on a bagel. Simple to make yourself and it's perfect for a party served on crackers or bagels. You can top with capers, more dill, some chives, some lemon zest or cracked pepper. Try it!