Mix together the sweet and sour base and water. Pour over the onions and marinate refrigerated for 1 hour. Mix occasionally to ensure uniform marinating. Remove red onions from the marinade and store refrigerated. Reserve and store marinade refrigerated for re-use (marinade can be used twice).
Sweet & Sour Base: Bring ingredients to a boil in a sauce pot over a medium-high heat. Cool, transfer, label and store refrigerated in a stainless container until needed.
Peppercorn Crust: Crush and crack the whole peppercorns with the bottom of a sauce pot until peppercorns are half to a quarter cracked. Place the peppercorns into a Robo Coupe and process until powdered with some small chunks of pepper visible.
Meanwhile, place the corning brine and cracked peppercorns into a sauce pot. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat. Let steep for 15 minutes. Place peppercorns into a wire mesh strainer to strain off excess marinade.
Transfer mixture into a Robo Coupe and process until the peppercorn mixture has a medium-line texture. Transfer, label and store refrigerated until needed.
Corning Brine: Combine and bring the ingredients to a simmer in a sauce pot. Remove and let cool to room temperature. Store refrigerated until needed.
Salmon Corning & Crusting: Place the salmon steaks into the brine and let marinade for 8-10 hours or overnight.
Remove steaks from marinade and transfer onto wire racks with a drip-catch pan. Refrigerate salmon steaks, uncovered, overnight to dry out the exterior surfaces.
Liberally brush the tops of the salmon steaks only with honey. Then spread the peppercorn crust evenly over the tops only.
NOTE: Corned and pepper crusted salmon steaks will hold for 2-3 days.
Place salmon steak onto a seasoned baking pan. Bake in a 350° F convection oven for 5 to 6 minutes or until an internal temperature of 120-125° F is achieved. Do not overcook.
Remove and transfer salmon steak onto a heated entr?e plate. Drizzle the beurre blanc sauce over the salmon steak. Mound the pickled onions on top-center of the steak, letting the excess fall down the sides of the steak. Sprinkle top with chopped dill. Serve with a lemon slice.
Makes: 4