Little Smoked Salmon Cucumber Cups With Peppered Creme Fraiche Food

LITTLE SMOKED SALMON CUCUMBER CUPS WITH PEPPERED CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Cut the cucumber into 1 1/2 inch slices, and carefully hollow out the centre (with any seeds) with a pointed teaspoon, so you are left with a shallow hollow.
• Mix the lemon zest and black pepper with the crème fraiche and adjust seasoning to taste, adding the black pepper bit by bit to ensure a favourable taste! (We like ours quite peppery!) I have not suggested salt as the smoked salmon is salty, but do add salt to taste if you wish.
• Spoon a little seasoned crème fraiche into each cucumber cup, about 1 teaspoon per cup.
• Cut the smoked salmon into 6-inch long strips and about 1/2 inch wide, and curl them around to make a little circle, then place the circle of smoked salmon on top of the crème fraiche.
• Garnish with lemon slices if you wish, or with dill or parsley. Makes about 30 according to size of cucumber.
• You can prepare the cucumber cups and crème fraiche several hours beforehand- cover them and store them in the fridge; assemble them just before you are ready to serve them.

POTATO LATKES WITH SMOKED SALMON, CREME FRAICHE, AND AMERICAN FARMED CAVIAR

Steps:

• Grate potatoes and onion on the large holes of a box grater. Splash with lemon juice and squeeze out excess water.
• Mix flour, milk, egg, baking powder, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Add to the potatoes and then add the melted butter. Season with salt and pepper.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, add enough peanut oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Drop in spoonfuls of batter for form small cakes and fry until golden on 1 side. Flip, and cook the same way on the other side.
• Top each latke with smoked salmon, creme fraiche, and American farmed caviar.

SMOKED SALMON WITH HORSERADISH CRèME FRAîCHE & BEETROOT

Steps:

• Fold the crème fraîche with the horseradish and vodka, if using, with a little seasoning. Chill.
• In a bowl, mix the vinegar, olive oil and honey. Toss half the dressing through the beetroot and chill until ready to serve.
• Before serving, divide the slices of salmon between 8 plates, then top with a spoonful of the crème fraîche and bring up the sides of the salmon to make a 'flower'. Arrange the salad and beetroot round the salmon, scatter with the dill. Grind over some black pepper, drizzle with the remaining dressing and serve with toast, if you like.

SALMON & CUCUMBER TWISTS

Steps:

• Cut the cucumber on the diagonal into slices about 0.5-1cm thick. Twist the strips of salmon around the cucumber slices, then arrange on a serving plate.
• Mix together the crème fraîche, lemon juice and a little salt, then dollop a little on top of the salmon. Sprinkle over some black pepper and lemon zest before serving.

CUCUMBER CUPS WITH DILL CREAM AND SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• Trim ends from cucumbers and cut crosswise into 24 (3/4-inch-thick) rounds. Scoop a 1/2-inch-deep depression from one side of each round with a small melon-baller, forming little cups. Drain cucumbers, cup sides down, on paper towels for 15 minutes.
• Beat cream cheese, chopped dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, and black pepper together in a bowl. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon cheese mixture into each cucumber cup. Top each cup with 1 salmon strip and 1 dill sprig.

CHILLED CUCUMBER SOUP WITH SMOKED SALMON AND DILL

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add cucumbers and potato; stir 1 minute. Add broth, dill sprigs, and 1 teaspoon salt. Increase heat and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until cucumbers and potato are tender, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Working in batches, puree soup in processor until smooth. Return to pot. Cool 15 minutes. Whisk in 1/2 cup crème fraîche and 4 tablespoons minced dill. Cover and chill until cold, about 4 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.) Taste soup, adding more salt if desired. Ladle soup into 6 bowls. Place dollop of crème fraîche in center of each bowl; sprinkle with smoked salmon and remaining 2 tablespoons minced dill.

SMOKED SALMON AND BASIL ROLLS WITH CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Place 1 salmon slice on work surface. Spread 2 teaspoons crème fraîche over salmon. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons chopped basil. Sprinkle with pepper. Starting at 1 short end, roll up salmon slice, enclosing filling. Spread 1 teaspoon crème fraîche over top of roll; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon chopped basil. Cut roll crosswise into 5 slices (keep sliced roll together). Repeat with remaining salmon, crème fraîche, and chopped basil. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Transfer salmon rolls to plate; cover and chill.) Arrange basil leaves on platter. Using small spatula, top each basil leaf with 1 sliced salmon roll, fanning slightly.