Gin Cured Salmon

The first step is to remove the fine pin bones in the salmon. Run your finger over the fattest part of the fillet to find the bones. They will be in a single line the length of the fish. Using tweezers or pliers, gently grab the top of the bone and ease it out of the fish. Be careful here, because the final presentation will be marred if you damage the flesh too much. When all the bones have been removed, mix together the salt, sugar, gin and dill and rub into the fish. Place the fish flesh side down into a stainless steel or glass dish, cover with plastic film and place in the refrigerator for 12 hours or over night. The next day, wash the curing mix off the fish and pat dry with paper towels. Using a very sharp knife, cut thin slices of the fish, cutting towards the tail section. You can slice the fish up to a day in advance and unsliced it will keep for 5 days. Serve in the same manner as smoked salmon, that is on blinis with sour cream and capers or draped over boiled new potatoes with horseradish. This recipe has a simple multiple. 10% of the fish weight in salt and 10% in sugar. So 2 kg (4 lb) of fish will need 200gm of sugar and 200gm of salt. Adjust the alcohol of course! The amount given in the recipe will feed 6-8 for an entree and 12 as a cocktail food item.