Sea Bream Crudo with Cucumber, Dill and Kumquat

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Salad Dressing

1. 1
   In a small bowl, whisk the oil, lemon juice and salt until smooth.

   Bowl

To assemble

1. 2
   Slice the kumquats into thin rings, remove the seeds and dice small. Cook in a small pot with the sugar and 3 tablespoons water for 5 minutes, until the peel is translucent, and let cool.

   KnifeCutting boardStoveSmall saucepan
2. 3
   Spread the cooked rice in a thin layer on a plate and dry it in the microwave for 3–4 minutes, in 1-minute bursts, until the grains are dry and hard.

   Microwave
3. 4
   Heat the oil in a small pot and fry the rice in two batches for about 30 seconds, until it puffs up and turns golden. Lift out with a slotted spoon onto paper towels.

   ⚙ Deep-fryingStoveSlotted spoonCandy/oil thermometerSmall saucepan

   💡Keep the oil at 170–180°C (340–355°F): too cold, and the food soaks up oil; too hot, and it browns outside before the inside cooks. Without a thermometer, dip the tip of a wooden spoon in the oil: when medium bubbles form around it right away, the oil is hot enough.

   💡Don't overload the oil: every piece that goes in cools it down. Fry one piece as a test, then the rest in several batches, and transfer to paper towels.
4. 5
   Peel the cucumbers in stripes, remove the seeds and cut into ½ cm dice. Mix with the chopped dill and pinch of salt.

   PeelerKnifeCutting board
5. 6
   Put the fish in the freezer for 15 minutes, so it firms up slightly and is easy to slice.

   Freezer
6. 7
   Slice the fish with a sharp knife, in a single stroke and on a diagonal to the grain, into thin slices. Arrange on cold plates in a single layer.

   KnifeCutting board

   💡The fish for crudo is very fresh and kept cold until the last moment. Slice in one long stroke, without sawing, so the slices stay smooth.
7. 8
   Drizzle the dressing over the fish just before serving and scatter the kumquats on top.

   💡The dressing goes on only just before serving: the lemon "cooks" the fish, and after a few minutes it loses its raw texture.
8. 9
   Place a mound of diced cucumber at the side of each plate, top with the crispy rice and a dill sprig, and serve immediately.