Graavilohi (Freshly-Salted Salmon)

Ingredients

• •4 1/2 pounds salmon
• •1/3 cup coarse salt
• •4 tablespoons sugar
• •3 to 4 teaspoons roughly-ground white pepper
• •Plenty of fresh dill

Directions

1. 1Fillet the salmon unless bought ready filleted. Do not, however, remove the skin.
2. 2Wipe the fillets with paper towels without rinsing.
3. 3Place one of the fillets, skin side down, on the bottom of a dish sprinkled with salt. Place the other fillet, skin side up, on top. Sprinkle the rest of the salt and dill over the fish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Put a small weight on top and store in a cool place for 1 to 3 days.
4. 4Scrape off the seasoning and cut the fillets, leaving the skin intact, into thin, oblique slices before serving.
5. 5Hint: Freshly-salted salmon does not require any sort of dressing, especially when served at Christmas. However, mustard dressing goes very well with this dish.
6. 6Prepare as follows, just before serving: Mix together 3 tablespoons darkish prepared mustard, 2 tablespoons sugar and 4 tablespoons wine vinegar. Add 3/4 cup oil, preferably olive oil, in a thin stream beating continuously. Last of all, mix in plenty of finely-chopped fresh dill.