Imagine a French-inspired appetizer that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet masterpiece in just 25 minutes. These Hot Smoked Salmon Tartines are not just a recipe; they're a culinary experience that will transport your taste buds to a chic Parisian café. With crispy baguette, creamy lemon-infused cream cheese, rich hot smoked salmon, and unexpectedly crunchy fried capers, this dish is guaranteed to impress even the most discerning food lovers.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 8 oz hot smoked salmon
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup capers, drained
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh dill for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the cream cheese spread by mixing cream cheese with lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Drain the capers thoroughly and pat them dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture. This ensures they will crisp up when frying.
- Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the capers and fry for 2-3 minutes until they become crispy and slightly golden, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Remove fried capers with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil and cool slightly.
- Slice the baguette diagonally into 1/2-inch thick pieces. If desired, lightly toast the baguette slices in a toaster or under the broiler until they are golden and crisp.
- Spread a generous layer of the lemon-infused cream cheese on each baguette slice.
- Top each tartine with pieces of hot smoked salmon, breaking the fish into bite-sized portions for even distribution.
- Sprinkle the crispy fried capers over the salmon.
- Garnish with fresh dill sprigs, chopping some finely and leaving some whole for visual appeal.
- Serve immediately while the baguette is still crisp and the capers are warm and crunchy.
Tips
- Pat your capers completely dry before frying to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent oil splattering.
- Use high-quality hot smoked salmon for the most robust flavor profile.
- Toast the baguette slices just until golden to maintain a crisp texture without becoming too hard.
- Prepare the cream cheese spread ahead of time to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve immediately after assembling to keep the baguette crisp and capers warm.
- For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a light sprinkle of fresh cracked black pepper or a drizzle of high-quality olive oil before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 35mg
