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     Title: Smoking Salmon And Trout Part IV - Scotch Smoking Prepara
Categories: Fish, Smoke, Info
     Yield: 1 text file

 This method is first as it is the most well known and the best; it is
 also the most complex.

 Scotch smoking can be done to a whole side, that is a large skin-on
 fillet or to several pieces cut according to thickness which is
 easier. Don't brine a whole side as the thinner parts- the tail and
 belly get too much salt. Dry salt instead- this allows you to place a
 specific amount of salt on each part of the side according to its
 thickness. Let the developing brine drain off. With pieces you can
 brine for varying times according to thickness.

 For dry salting use plain pickling salt not a mixture to condition the
 flesh so it can be thinly sliced for serving. Other flavors can be
 added after. When brining pieces sugar and spices can be added to the
 brine if you want.

 Dry salting whole sides: Cut thick [over 4"] fillets into two slices
 OR inject brine into the thickest portion with a pumping needle.
 Injection brine should be made up in the ratio of 1 1/4 c salt per
 quart water, cooled to 60 deg F and injected before applying the dry
 salt. Score or cut just through the skin into the fatty tissues
 beneath [slashes] in several places with a sharp knife or a razor
 blade to promote salt penetration and apply the salt. Rub salt into
 the scores, lay the fillet down on a 1/4" bed of salt in a tray and
 place salt on the top of the fillet- from a 1/2" on the thickest part
 to just a sprinkling on the tail. Slant the tray so that the brine
 that develops flows away from the thin belly meat.

 Fatty fish take longer to salt as they contain proportionately less
 water.
                         DRY SALT TIMES

 :Fillet Thickness              Fat Fish                Lean Fish

 :      3/4"                     9 hrs                   5 hrs
 :        1"                    12 hrs                   7 hrs
 :    1 1/4"                    15 hrs                 8.5 hrs
 :    1 1/2"                    18 hrs                  10 hrs
 :        2"                    24 hrs                  13 hrs
 :    2 1/2"                    30 hrs                  17 hrs
 :        3"                    36 hrs                  20 hrs

 With experience you can tell by feel; a moderately fat fish will
 loose 10% of its weight. When touched with a fore finger the flesh
 should feel firm and spring back when pressed.

 After salting you can use a special Scotch sugar-rum cure or a
 finishing brine.

 Scotch sugar-rum cure: rinse the dry salt off the side. Drain and
 cure it in a cool place for 6 hours. Rub it with vegetable oil [olive
 or peanut preferred] and let it stand another 6 hours in a cool
 place. Rub off the oil with a rum soaked cloth. Cover the side with
 brown sugar just as you did the dry salt and let it stand another 6
 hours. Then wipe off the sugar, coat it with oil again and let stand
 6 hours. Wipe off the oil again with a rum soaked cloth and proceed
 to smoke.

 Finishing brine: If not using the scotch sugar-rum cure, use a
 finishing brine to take away some of the hardness caused by the dry
 salt and finish distributing the salt through the fish. Make
 finishing brine in the ratio of 11 oz salt to 4 qt water and leave
 the side in the brine for 20 min for a 3/4" fillet up to 90 min for a
 2" thick fillet. Drain the side skin side down making sure the brine
 can drain away so there are no salt deposits on the fish. A salt
 gloss will form and the flesh will cure. Allow to cure overnight 12
 hours or even more.

 Extracted from: Smoking Salmon & Trout by Jack Whelan. Published by:
 Airie Publishing, Deep Bay, B.C. ISBN: 0-919807-00-3 Posted by: Jim
 Weller

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