Not sure what to do with the pantry salmon? Use this simple cure to make delicious lox right in your own refrigerator.

Grind the bay leaf and peppercorns in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle until very fine. Combine with turmeric, red pepper flakes, salt, and sugar in a small bowl.
Sprinkle mixture generously over salmon fillets, covering both sides and the edges.
Wrap fillets tightly in plastic wrap.
Using a sharp, thin object such as a cake tester or metal skewer, poke holes through the plastic wrap and skin on the skin side only.
Place salmon skin side down on a wire rack or perforated pan set in a bowl or container to catch the drippings. Place something flat and heavy on the salmon, such as a pot or casserole dish filled with pie weights or water. Place in refrigerator for two to three days.
After the salmon has cured, remove it from the refrigerator and unwrap. Rinse gently under cool water to remove excess cure.
(Optional) Cold-smoke the salmon using a smoking gun or cold smoking rig.
To serve, slice the salmon thin along the grain down to the skin, and then peel the meat from the skin. Serve on bagels with cream cheese, capers, thin-sliced red onion, and dill.
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