4.19.2010

Homemade Limoncello and Smoked Salmon with Caramelized Onions

I've been a huge fan of Limoncello since "Memo The Beautiful" served icy glasses to me and my friends on a sun-warmed terrace in a tiny mountain village in Italy last spring.


I never thought of making it myself until I stumbled across Mary's One Perfect Bite post a couple of weeks ago. It looked so fresh and inviting in that lovely glass that I immediately sent it to some of my CEC friends to see if they'd like to make it with me. Much to my delight, they said yes!! :-)

So we got together and hunched over cutting boards with knives, oh so carefully separating lemon peel and lime peel (we decided to try Key lime-cello while we were at it!) from the bitter pith.


We slipped the pieces of peel into big glass jars, covered them with vodka and let them steep.

Four days later we got together again to complete the process. The vodka was no longer, but vivid yellow and pale green.


While Darren prepped the simple syrup and washed the bottles, Cameron fired up the smoker and I made Smoked Salmon with Caramelized Onions and Roasted Potatoes with Dill for dinner.



After eating our fill, we knuckled down and got to work. Mike and I strained out the citrus peel, Darren mixed in the vodka with the simple syrup, and we took turns pouring the mixture into bottles. We were SO proud to see the bottles glistening and full. :-)

We finished it so quickly that we also had time to bottle the mead we made several weeks ago. It should be ready in time for our medieval feast this summer. :-)



 
Mary's Limoncello

Salmon with Caramelized Onions

Ingredients:
 
1/2 wild salmon
2-3 large onions, sliced
1/4 -1/2 cup butter
1/4-1/2 cup brown sugar
Few drops liquid smoke

Directions:
  1. Melt butter over medium-high heat and add onions. Cook, stirring regularly until onions are brown and caramelized. 
  2. Add brown sugar and stir until melted and onions are coated.
  3. Add liquid smoke and stir. 
  4. Place salmon skin side down on a tray made of aluminum foil. Cover with onions. 
  5. Smoke or grill to desired doneness.
Roasted Potatoes with Dill

Ingredients:

3-4 Yukon gold potatoes, cubed
Olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 Tbsp dried dill

Directions:
  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and spread on cookie sheet. 
  2. Roast or smoke until potatoes are crispy and browned.

30 comments:

  1. That salmon looks amazing! Caramelized onions just make everything better.

    And I can't believe you made your own limoncello. How cool!

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  2. I'm getting ready to make Sweet Tea Vodka. I'm hoping it works the same way as Limoncello

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  3. I can't decide which is more appealing, the fact that one can make Limoncello from scratch or that hunger inducing smoked salmon!

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  4. Thanks, Joanne! I agree completely! :-)

    It was SO fun making it! We felt so pleased with ourselves. :-)

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  5. Ohhh, that sounds great, Deanna! I can't wait to read about it! :-)

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  6. I love limoncello! What beautiful photos! I honestly think the best part about limoncello is the wait... I love the anticipation as I watch the lemon essence seep into the alcohol.

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  7. I nominated this wonderful blog for an award. Please check it out here!

    http://lazarocooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/winner-islazaro-cooks-again.html

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  8. I love the handwriting on the labels and the bottles are perfect.

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  9. Oh my gosh. I need those potatoes. I really do. I really really do.

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  10. very coooooooooool..How did it turn out with key lime?..I have made 2 batches with lemons....and ready for orange next :)

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  11. Oh wow you guys amaze me. That would have been fun and love the dinner..yummy.

    thanks for sharing,
    xoxo

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  12. I know what you mean, Valerie! :-) Everything was so scrumptious! :-)

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  13. Me too, Cozy! :-) The bright color absolutely delights me. :-) And the smell?!!! Ahhh, bliss!

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  14. Thanks, Amuse. :-) I tried to make it as swirly as possible :-)

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  15. Yes, dear Frugal, you would LOVE them!! They're totally "you" :-)

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  16. Thanks, Astheroshe! :-) The lime turned out well, though slightly more bitter than the lemon. We think it's because we used thin-skinned key limes and perhaps got some pith in. We have a batch of orange going right now and it smells perfectly heavenly. :-)

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  17. Thank you, DJ! :-) We're having such fun learning to make all sorts of things from scratch. :-)

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  18. I firmly believe that caramelised onions will save the world :P Well done making limoncello from scratch too. I might try it too as I think I have most of the ingredients-just need to buy a few more lemons! :D

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  19. I heartily agree, Lorraine! Caramelized onions rock my world. :-) Good luck with your limoncello!! :-)

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  20. Hi Krista!!!! Sorry I've been "away" with my own family. I have to say: to salmon w/ caramelized onions and limoncello: OH! MAN!!!!!!!

    And to your previous post, high marks for everything - the necklace so pretty and clear and serious looking but understated, the daffodil so pale and noble - I used to grow some like that and the artichoke tart: yum-yum-YUM! Oh and the gorgeous glass with the lavender and hibiscus infusion. That's worthy of an 18th c. English still life.

    Sorry to hear things are still difficult a little too often. All things will pass, but some, not soon enough! Hang in there. Sounds like you have the right kind of people around you now. Hugs from sometimes more, sometimes less - Paradise.

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  21. No worries at all, dear Paradis! I'm so glad you were able to get away. :-) Thank you so much for the hugs and support. :-) Last week was a rough one, but also the closing of some doors that needed closing. I feel so free now, and this weekend was just what I needed to rest, restore and find much hope in the future. :-)

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  22. The limoncello looks amazing - such beautiful colors! Very impressive. Dinner looks great, too.

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  23. I too love limoncello, but never thought to make it! That sounds so good right now.

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  24. Thank you, Nancy! :-) The colors make me smile when I look at them. So cheerful and bright. :-)

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  25. It sure does, Jocy! Nothing like a cold glass of limoncello to perk up your spirits at the end of a looooong day. :-)

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  26. I'm really pleased you enjoyed the limoncello and want to thank you for your kind words. Blessings...Mary

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  27. We sure did, Mary! :-) We liked it so much we did an orange version too! :-)

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  28. Thanks SO much, Lazaro! :-) You made my day! :-)

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  29. Both these dishes sound fantastic, I recently bought some limoncello but haven't been drinking it or cooking with it yet. You've reminded me of its existence!!

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  30. Oh good, Sarah!! A friend of mine just made limoncello tiramisu with some of ours. Amazing, eh?! :-)

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