| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 48 hours marinating | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 400 | 25g | 3g | 10g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 20g | 0g | 35g | 1.2g |
Why I Love Dutch Gravad Lax with Mustard Sauce
Why Gravad Lax with Mustard Sauce is Delightful
Today, I’m excited to share with you one of my favorite recipes – Gravad Lax with Mustard Sauce. I fell in love with this dish during a trip to the Netherlands and I’ve been making it as part of my family’s special dinner rotation ever since. There’s something so satisfying about the combination of the fresh salmon cured with aromatic dill and a tangy, sweet mustard sauce. Plus, it’s an intriguing blend of Scandinavian and Dutch influence, something a little different from my typical Indian-American fusion food. But that’s the beauty of food, isn’t it? It tells our stories, brings us together and shapes our cultures.
My Inspiration Behind the Recipe
This recipe was mainly inspired by renowned Dutch chef Robert Kranenborg. One of his cooking shows aired an episode on traditional Dutch cuisine during my trip and it really piqued my interest in exploring more of the region’s culinary traditions. While Gravad Lax is technically a Scandinavian dish, I was pleasantly surprised to see how the Dutch have made it their own. That’s how food evolves, and our job as cooks is to take these traditions and add our personal touch to them.
Pairing Ideas for Gravad Lax with Mustard Sauce
When you’re serving your Gravad Lax with Mustard Sauce, you’ll want to think about sides that complement its unique flavor profile. Many go for a simple side salad or maybe some freshly baked sourdough bread. However, for me, oven-roasted asparagus sprinkled with a touch of sea salt and lemon juice provides an ideal contrast. Another possible pairing could be a lightly seasoned roast potato side, rounding off the meal perfectly.
To add a little bit of my West Coast – Gujarati roots into the mix, I also enjoy pairing Gravad Lax with Mustard Sauce with a light quinoa salad, jazzed up with fresh herbs and lemon, a recipe that’s become one of my family’s favourites over the years.
So, gather your ingredients and let’s celebrate the joy of cooking with Gravad Lax with Mustard Sauce. There’s a whole world of flavors waiting for you to discover. Let’s make your kitchen the passport to these culinary treats.
What You’ll Need
- 2 pounds of fresh salmon fillet
- 1/4 cup of coarse sea salt
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of crushed black peppercorns
- 1 bunch of fresh dill, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup of Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup of white wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup of sugar
- 2/3 cup of vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper
Method
Step One
First, take your fresh salmon fillet and pat it down dry using paper towels. Lay it skin-side down on a sheet of cling film.
Step Two
In a bowl, mix together the coarse sea salt, sugar, and crushed black peppercorns. Afterwards, spread this mixture liberally over the salmon fillet, making sure to coat it evenly.
Step Three
Take your bunch of fresh dill and chop it roughly. Sprinkle these chopped dill over the salmon fillet, again, ensuring that it is evenly distributed.
Step Four
Wrap the salmon fillet tightly in the cling film and place it in a dish. Put this dish into the refrigerator and let the salmon cure for 48 hours.
Step Five
While the salmon is curing, you can prepare the mustard sauce. In another bowl, combine the Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, and sugar. Stir it until the sugar dissolves completely.
Step Six
Slowly whisk in the vegetable oil into your mustard mixture. Continue whisking until the sauce is emulsified and comes together.
Step Seven
Add the chopped fresh dill and ground black pepper into your mustard sauce. Stir it well until everything is properly mixed. Store this sauce in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
Step Eight
After 48 hours, take the cured salmon out of the refrigerator. Unwrap the cling film and scrape off the dill and curing mixture.
Step Nine
Slice the salmon thinly and serve it with your homemade mustard sauce. Enjoy your Gravad Lax with Mustard Sauce!
