🥓
Curing
PreservationPreserving food with salt, sugar, and sometimes smoke. Used for bacon, gravlax, prosciutto, and more.
🔬 How It Works
Salt draws moisture out of food and creates an environment inhospitable to bacteria. Smoke adds flavor and additional preservation.
📝 Step by Step
- 1
Combine salt, sugar, and seasonings
- 2
Cover food completely with cure mixture
- 3
Refrigerate for specified time (varies by recipe)
- 4
Rinse and pat dry
- 5
Use immediately or smoke for additional preservation
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use precise measurements for safety
- ✓Pink curing salt is required for some products
- ✓Temperature control is essential
- ✓Patience is key - don't rush the process
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Not using enough cure
- ✗Temperature too warm
- ✗Not curing long enough
- ✗Skipping the resting period after curing
📖 Recipes Using Curing
Algerian Fish Soup
Algeria
1 hour 5 minutes
Algerian Shakshuka
Algeria
50 minutes
Bourek Algérien
Algeria
1 hour 5 minutes
Chakhchoukha Constantinoise
Algeria
3 hours 15 minutes
Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Olives
Algeria
1 hour 40 minutes
Chorba Frik Algérienne
Algeria
2 hours
Chorba Frik Algérienne
Algeria
1 hour 55 minutes
Couscous aux Sept Légumes
Algeria
2 hours 15 minutes
✅ When to Use
- Bacon and pancetta
- Gravlax (cured salmon)
- Duck confit
- Preserved lemons
🍳 Equipment Needed
- •Salt
- •Sugar
- •Curing container
- •Refrigerator