River Cottage

Mix the ingredients for the cure together thoroughly. Choose a non-metallic
tray or dish in which the fish fillet will fit neatly. Sprinkle half the cure over the
base of the dish, in a layer the width of the fish. Lay the fish over the cure, skin
side down, and sprinkle the rest over it. Leave the fish to cure in a cool larder,
or the fridge, for 6–8 hours. You could, at a push, leave it overnight (but not if
you’re planning a lie-in). Beyond 10 hours, it will become unpalatably salty. Then remove the fillet, rinse thoroughly, and immediately pat dry with a clean cloth.

Meanwhile, cut the tomatoes in quarters and scoop out the seeds. Arrange the
tomatoes in an ovenproof dish, sprinkle with a little salt and the thyme sprigs
and trickle with olive oil. Place in the oven and roast gently, at about 140�C/Gas
Mark 1 for 2–21/2 hours, until the tomatoes are half-dried, half roasted, and nice
and sweet. Remove and leave to cool completely in the dish.

Now prepare the fish by slicing from the tail end at an angle. Slice it like a side
of smoked salmon, only thicker (5mm–1cm thick), cutting each slice away from
the skin. Remove and discard any remaining pin or belly bones as you go.
Combine all the ingredients for the marinade. Add the pieces of sliced bream,
along with the cooled roasted tomatoes and any juices from the dish, and toss
together well. Leave, covered, in the fridge for at least 2 hours, and up to 4 or
5, so the flavours can marry and mingle.

Remove from the fridge an hour or so before serving and toss once more. Serve, sprinkled with a few fresh thyme leaves, with crusty bread or pitta to mop up the juices.