Cured Arctic Char

Serves: 6

Fatima Kris

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

43

Spice

38

Sweetness

51

Sourness

42

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.4

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tsps

Kosher Salt

2 tsps

Sugar

2 tsps

Mustard Seed

Directions:

1

Cured char: Rinse char under cold running water; pat dry with paper towels

2

Mix salt, sugar, mustard seeds, orange zest, and lemon zest in a small bowl, then massage into char

3

Place skin side down in a baking dish; top with dill and drizzle with aquavit

4

Cover tightly with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto fish

5

Chill, turning 2–3 times and pouring off any accumulated liquid each time, until flesh is very firm and almost translucent, 2–4 days (it will get saltier and firmer the longer it sits)

6

Thoroughly rinse char and pat dry with paper towels

7

DO AHEAD: Char can be cured (and rinsed) 1 week ahead

8

Cover and chill

9

Rinse char under cold running water; pat dry with paper towels

10

Mix salt, sugar, mustard seeds, orange zest, and lemon zest in a small bowl, then massage into char

11

Place skin side down in a baking dish; top with dill and drizzle with aquavit

12

Cover tightly with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto fish

13

Chill, turning 2–3 times and pouring off any accumulated liquid each time, until flesh is very firm and almost translucent, 2–4 days (it will get saltier and firmer the longer it sits)

14

Thoroughly rinse char and pat dry with paper towels

15

DO AHEAD: Char can be cured (and rinsed) 1 week ahead

16

Cover and chill

17

Pickled onion and assembly: Place onion in a small heatproof jar

18

Bring vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, and 2 tablespoons water to a simmer in a small saucepan, stirring to dissolve

19

Pour over onion

20

Cover and chill until onion is bright pink, at least 8 hours and up to 2 days

21

Thinly slice char and serve on lefse topped with crème fraîche, dill, pickled onion, and sea salt

22

Place onion in a small heatproof jar

23

Bring vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, and 2 tablespoons water to a simmer in a small saucepan, stirring to dissolve

24

Pour over onion

25

Cover and chill until onion is bright pink, at least 8 hours and up to 2 days

26

Thinly slice char and serve on lefse topped with crème fraîche, dill, pickled onion, and sea salt