Recipes : Smoked Salmon : Food Network

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Smoked Salmon
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

Ingredients
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon crushed black peppercorns
2 large salmon fillets or sides, pin bones removed

Directions
In a bowl, mix together salt, sugar, brown sugar and peppercorns. Spread
extra-wide aluminum foil a little longer than the length of the fish and top with an equally long
layer of plastic wrap. Sprinkle 1/3 of the rub onto the plastic. Lay 1 side of the fish skin down
onto the rub. Sprinkle 1/3 of the rub onto the flesh of the salmon. Place second side of salmon,
flesh down onto the first side. Use the remaining rub to cover the skin on the top piece. Fold
plastic over to cover then close edges of foil together and crimp tightly around the fish.
Place wrapped fish onto a plank or sheet pan and top with another plank or pan. Weigh with a heavy
phone book or a brick or two and refrigerate for 12 hours. Flip the fish over and refrigerate

another 12 hours. Some juice will leak out during the process so make sure there's a place for the
runoff to gather.
Unwrap fish and rinse off the cure with cold water. Pat salmon with paper towels then place in a
cool, dry place (not the refrigerator) until the surface of the fish is dry and matte-like, 1 to 3
hours depending on humidity. A fan may be used to speed the process.
Smoke fish (see Note) over smoldering hardwood chips or sawdust, keeping the temperature inside the
smoker between 150 degrees F and 160 degrees F until the thickest part of the fish registers 150
degrees. Serve immediately or cool to room temperature, wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 3
days.

Cook's Note: Trout, mackerel, and bluefish also smoke well.