
Elevate your next gathering with these elegant cured salmon and potato latke canapés. Delicate, home-cured salmon is wrapped around crispy, golden potato strips for a sophisticated bite that perfectly balances salt, spice, and crunch.
Prepare the salmon for curing by lining a shallow pan with a long piece of plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap is double the length of the pan. Lay the salmon fillet skin-side down in the center and pull up the sides of the wrap to create a well around the fish.
In a small bowl, combine the sea salt, sugar, crushed fennel seeds, coriander seeds, pink peppercorns, cinnamon, and cumin. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the flesh side of the salmon, applying a bit more to the thicker parts of the fillet. Scatter the chopped tarragon, chives, and chervil over the top, then drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Fold the plastic wrap over the fish and seal it tightly.
Cut a piece of cardboard to the same size as the salmon fillet and place it directly on top of the wrapped fish in the pan. Place a weight (no more than 2kg) on the cardboard to gently press the cure into the fish. Refrigerate for 24 hours.
Remove the salmon from the fridge, unwrap it, and flip it over so it is skin-side up. Re-wrap it tightly, replace the cardboard and weight, and return it to the refrigerator for another 24 hours.
After the second 24-hour period, remove the fish from the cure. Wipe the skin clean and gently scrape any excess curing brine from the flesh. Using a long, sharp knife, cut thin slices of the salmon at an angle, slicing down and away from the skin. Set the slices aside.
To make the latkes, mix the sliced spring onion, parsley, potato starch, and eggs in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, toss the potato matchsticks with a pinch of salt and let them stand for 5 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a clean tea towel and squeeze out as much excess water as possible. Return the dried potatoes to the bowl and combine them with the egg and onion mixture.
Melt a knob of unsalted butter in a medium heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter foams, add a large spoonful of the potato mixture and flatten it with the back of the spoon to about 1cm thickness. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels, then cut each latke into nine even strips.
To assemble, take a strip of the cured salmon and wrap it snugly around a strip of the warm latke. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Arrange the canapés on a serving platter and serve with a dollop of soured cream, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh lemon wedges.
For the crispiest latkes, ensure the potatoes are squeezed completely dry before mixing with the eggs. You can cure the salmon up to 3 days in advance, but assemble the canapés just before serving to maintain the contrast between the cold salmon and warm, crunchy potato.




