Clementine and gin-cured salmon recipe
 This festive cured salmon is served with homemade pickle and whipped crème fraiche. Allow plenty of time, as the salmon takes 2 days to cure and the pickle needs to be made a day ahead. 200ml/7fl oz Chardonnay white wine vinegar 200g/7oz caster sugar 1 red chilli1 tsp coriander seeds 200ml/7fl oz Chardonnay white wine vinegar 200g/7oz caster sugar 1 red chilli 1 tsp coriander seeds 8 baby carrots, peeled and sliced in half lengthways8 radishes, thinly sliced½ cucumber, roughly chopped1 small red onion, halved and pulled into petals1 pomegranate seeds removed 8 baby carrots, peeled and sliced in half lengthways 8 radishes, thinly sliced ½ cucumber, roughly chopped 1 small red onion, halved and pulled into petals 1 pomegranate seeds removed 125g/4½oz smoked flaked sea salt125g/4½oz flaked sea salt250g/9oz soft brown sugar 70ml/2½fl oz gin3 clementines, juice and zest10 black peppercorns, crushed1kg/2lb 4oz salmon fillet 125g/4½oz smoked flaked sea salt 125g/4½oz flaked sea salt 250g/9oz soft brown sugar 70ml/2½fl oz gin 3 clementines, juice and zest 10 black peppercorns, crushed 1kg/2lb 4oz salmon fillet 200g/7oz crème fraîche1 tbsp olive oillovage oil 200g/7oz crème fraîche 1 tbsp olive oil lovage oil Method To make the pickling liquor, place the ingredients along with 200ml/7fl oz of water in a saucepan and bring to the boil, remove from the heat and allow to cool.Mix the vegetables together in a non-reactive tray and pour the liquor over the vegetables. Cover and leave at room temperature for a day, then transfer to the fridge, where they will keep for about a month. To make the salmon, combine the salts, sugar, gin and clementine juice and zest in a bowl and add the peppercorns.Using a sharp knife, score the salmon in four places to allow the cure to penetrate.Place a third of the salt mixture on a tray and place the fish on top and cover with the remainder of the mixture. Cover and store in the fridge. After 24 hours, turn the fish over and leave for a further 24 hours.Rinse the salmon under cold, running water and pat dry. Allow to stand in the fridge for an hour before slicing the salmon 5mm/¼ in thick on a ‘D cut’ (from the back to the belly in such a way that you can layer the sliced on top of each other to recreate the look of an uncut side of salmon).To serve, drain some of the pickled vegetables and arrange them on a plate next to the salmon slices. Spoon some crème fraîche onto the plate and create a well in the top. Drizzle some lovage oil into the well. To make the pickling liquor, place the ingredients along with 200ml/7fl oz of water in a saucepan and bring to the boil, remove from the heat and allow to cool. To make the pickling liquor, place the ingredients along with 200ml/7fl oz of water in a saucepan and bring to the boil, remove from the heat and allow to cool. Mix the vegetables together in a non-reactive tray and pour the liquor over the vegetables. Cover and leave at room temperature for a day, then transfer to the fridge, where they will keep for about a month. Mix the vegetables together in a non-reactive tray and pour the liquor over the vegetables. Cover and leave at room temperature for a day, then transfer to the fridge, where they will keep for about a month. To make the salmon, combine the salts, sugar, gin and clementine juice and zest in a bowl and add the peppercorns. To make the salmon, combine the salts, sugar, gin and clementine juice and zest in a bowl and add the peppercorns. Using a sharp knife, score the salmon in four places to allow the cure to penetrate. Using a sharp knife, score the salmon in four places to allow the cure to penetrate. Place a third of the salt mixture on a tray and place the fish on top and cover with the remainder of the mixture. Cover and store in the fridge. After 24 hours, turn the fish over and leave for a further 24 hours. Place a third of the salt mixture on a tray and place the fish on top and cover with the remainder of the mixture. Cover and store in the fridge. After 24 hours, turn the fish over and leave for a further 24 hours. Rinse the salmon under cold, running water and pat dry. Allow to stand in the fridge for an hour before slicing the salmon 5mm/¼ in thick on a ‘D cut’ (from the back to the belly in such a way that you can layer the sliced on top of each other to recreate the look of an uncut side of salmon). Rinse the salmon under cold, running water and pat dry. Allow to stand in the fridge for an hour before slicing the salmon 5mm/¼ in thick on a ‘D cut’ (from the back to the belly in such a way that you can layer the sliced on top of each other to recreate the look of an uncut side of salmon). To serve, drain some of the pickled vegetables and arrange them on a plate next to the salmon slices. Spoon some crème fraîche onto the plate and create a well in the top. Drizzle some lovage oil into the well. To serve, drain some of the pickled vegetables and arrange them on a plate next to the salmon slices. Spoon some crème fraîche onto the plate and create a well in the top. Drizzle some lovage oil into the well.