I am inspired by the stories and traditions passed down from generation to generation. Norwegian cooking at its simplest and most elaborate. That’s what you will find here. Seasonal cooking, local ingredients, local artisans, and simple gatherings.  READ MORE...

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December 2021

December 12, 2021

Winter Spiced Gravlax (gravlaks med vinterkrydder)

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Recipes

Winter Spiced Gravlax
Winter Spiced Gravlax
Winter Spiced Gravlax

This post was made in partnership with Kvarøy Arctic Salmon

There’s something incredibly eye-catching about gravlax with its luscious orange-pink flesh adorned with a green cloak of dill. The thin slices beckoning to be tasted. The pride and joy of any holiday table just happens to be a cinch to make and wonderfully flavorful and adaptable.

Gravlax is made up of the Scandinavian words grav and laks, which translate to “buried salmon.”  In the Middle Ages, fisherman buried the fish in sand and within a few days, it would ferment and resemble its closest modern-day relative, rakfisk. Today, the process involves curing the fish in a salt and sugar mixture under refrigeration.

Salt, sugar, and dill is all you really need, but I wanted to highlight the flavors of the season with this winter spiced gravlax. Warm spices, brown sugar, and orange zest playfully come together with delicious  Kvarøy Arctic salmon for this decadent dish. All one needs is a couple of days before it’s ready to embellish the table for all to enjoy.

Winter Spiced Gravlax
Winter Spiced Gravlax
Winter Spiced Gravlax
Winter Spiced Gravlax
Winter Spiced Gravlax

Winter Spiced Gravlax (gravlaks med vinterkrydder)

Serves 6 to 8

  • 1 ¾ to 2.2 lbs (800 g to 1 kg) Kvarøy Arctic salmon filet, boneless with skin
  • 3 tablespoons table salt
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon anise seeds
  • ½ teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, gently crushed
  • 1 teaspoon whole pink peppercorns, gently crushed
  • ½ teaspoon juniper berries, gently crushed
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • Bunch of fresh dill, finely chopped

Pat the filet dry with a paper towel and place it skin side down in a baking dish.   

In a medium bowl, combine the salt, brown sugar, anise seeds, cloves, peppercorns, juniper berries and orange zest. Rub the mixture over the top and sides of the filet using your hands. Top with the dill. Cover the top of the filet tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 12 hours to let the juices release. Turn the filet over, skin side up, cover with plastic again, and refrigerate for another 2 to 2 ½ days to marinate. Remove from the refrigerator and pat the filet dry. The gravlax is ready to be served at this point or can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nevada Berg

Nevada is a utah native and norwegian by heart. When not crafting culinary delights she enjoys her family time and tending to her animals. You most certainly can find her perusing her property for wild berries.

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  1. Diane says:

    I usually make gravlax at this time of the year but I thought this looked really interesting. The smell is amazing so only three days to go and we will be able to taste it! Thank you for all your recipes and beautiful pictures.

  2. Matthew Floding says:

    Thank you, Nevada, for this fantastic and flavorful twist on Gravlax. I love making Gravlax, and the alternate use of brown sugar with orange peel was delicious!

  3. Tess says:

    Just gave my Gravlax a flip. Very much looking forward to sharing this one around.

  4. Andrea says:

    This looks fantastic, but I live on the west coast. What Pacific salmon are good substitutes for Kvarøy? Ours have distinct character and for regular eating I prefer Chinook, but maybe gravalox is best done with a fattier fish? Please advise! Thank you.

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