Description
Delightful “Salmon Sensation” starters showcase elegant seafood perfection from Nordic culinary traditions. Crisp textures and rich flavors combine, delivering an irresistible appetizer experience you’ll savor with pure gourmet pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 baguette (fresh)
- 1 packet smoked salmon (wild salmon if possible)
- 12 ounces cream cheese
Garnish Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons fresh dill (finely chopped)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 splash double cream
- Capers
- Fresh dill fronds
- Sour cream
- Black pepper
- Lemons (cut into wedges)
Instructions
- Heat the grill to medium-high temperature, preparing a clean cooking surface for toasting bread.
- Slice the baguette into thin, uniform rounds, ensuring consistent thickness for even grilling.
- Brush one side of each bread round with olive oil, then grill until achieving a crisp, golden-brown texture.
- Flip the rounds and grill the opposite side until equally golden and crunchy, then set aside to cool completely.
- In a mixing bowl, soften the cream cheese by incorporating a small amount of double cream, creating a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Finely chop fresh dill and thoroughly blend into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution of herbs.
- Spread the herbed cream cheese generously across each grilled bread round, covering the surface evenly.
- Delicately layer a sliver of smoked salmon atop each cream cheese-covered crostini.
- Add a precise dollop of sour cream in the center of each salmon-topped round.
- Carefully separate caper leaves to create an elegant, flower-like garnish.
- Position the caper flower gently on top of the sour cream dollop.
- Accent one side of the caper with a delicate fennel frond for additional visual appeal.
- Arrange the completed crostini on a serving platter in an attractive circular pattern.
- Lightly dust the entire dish with freshly ground black pepper for added flavor.
- Garnish the platter’s perimeter with fresh lemon segments to complement the smoky salmon.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese by bringing it to room temperature before mixing, ensuring a smooth, spreadable consistency without lumps.
- Customize the recipe by using gluten-free baguette for those with wheat sensitivities or low-fat cream cheese for a lighter version.
- Create uniform bread rounds by using a sharp serrated knife and cutting with steady, gentle pressure to avoid crushing the baguette.
- Elevate presentation by experimenting with alternative garnishes like fresh chives, micro greens, or a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning for added texture and flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 590 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg