Salmon Cucumber Twists Food

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.

SALMON BURGERS WITH GINGER AND QUICK-PICKLED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Process one third of salmon (about 8 oz.) in a food processor, scraping down sides as needed, until very smooth and paste-like. Add remaining salmon and pulse until pieces are no bigger than ¼," 4-5 times (be careful not to make it too smooth). Transfer to a large bowl.
• Remove dark green tops from scallions and finely chop. Thinly slice white and pale green parts and set aside. Add chopped scallion greens, ginger, garlic, 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise, and 1 tsp. salt to salmon and gently mix to combine. Form mixture into 4 patties about ¾" thick. Transfer to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Chill at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
• Meanwhile, mix sesame oil, 1 tsp. vinegar, remaining ⅔ cup mayonnaise, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl; set aside.
• Toss cucumbers with a pinch of salt in another small bowl. Massage with your hands for a few minutes to soften and expel liquid; discard liquid. Add chile, sugar, and 2 tsp. vinegar and toss to coat. Cover and chill pickles until ready to assemble burgers.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Remove salmon patties from refrigerator and sprinkle with flour just to coat the outside (you won't need all of it). The patties will be a little loose but you can always pat them back together with your hands before they hit the pan. Working in batches and adding more oil in between batches if needed, cook patties until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side (watch carefully; you don't want to overcook).
• Toss herbs, watercress, sesame seeds (if using), reserved white and pale green parts of scallions, remaining 1 tsp. vinegar, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Build burgers with buns, patties, herb mixture, pickles, and reserved sauce.

SMOKED SALMON CUCUMBER BITES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion flakes, garlic flakes, black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; set aside.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the sour cream, minced dill, lemon zest and remaining 1 teaspoon sea salt; set aside.
• With a peeler, stripe the cucumber, running the peeler from one tip to the other, leaving a small strip of skin in between each peel. Using a mandoline or knife, slice the cucumber on the bias into 1/4-inch slices. Slice the salmon into 2-inch strips.
• Lay out the cucumber slices on a platter. Place about 1/2 teaspoon of the sour cream mixture on each cucumber. Ripple or fold the strips of smoked salmon and place on top of the sour cream mixture. Garnish with dill sprigs and sprinkle with the seasoning mix before serving.

SALMON WITH CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• For sauce, in a bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Refrigerate until serving. Broil salmon 4-6 in. from the heat for 10-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with cucumber sauce.

CUCUMBER AND SMOKED SALMON SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Make tartare: In a small bowl, combine salmon, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and zest. Season with salt and pepper.
• Using a paring knife or vegetable peeler, remove skin on two opposite sides of cucumber. Trim the ends, and cut cucumber crosswise into 48 slices, 1/4 inch thick. Place slices on paper towels to dry.
• Using a butter knife or a small offset spatula, spread about 1/2 teaspoon of creme fraiche on half of the cucumber slices, and then top with a teaspoon of tartare. Place remaining cucumber slices on top, followed by a small dollop of creme fraiche and a piece of lime. Serve immediately, or chill, covered with plastic wrap, up to 1 hour.

SAUTéED SALMON WITH BROWN BUTTER CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter over medium high heat and cook until foam subsides and turns deep gold in color, about 3 minutes.
• Season salmon with salt and pepper and add to pan, skin side up. Cook without turning for 3 minutes. Add cucumbers and a pinch of salt to pan around salmon and stir to coat with butter. Continue to cook, stirring cucumbers around in pan, until fish turns deep brown, about 3 minutes longer. Flip fish (move cucumbers to the side to assure fish skin makes contact with pan). Add garlic to cucumbers and stir. Cook fish until done to taste, 2 to 4 minutes longer.
• Transfer salmon to plates. Stir dill and lemon juice into cucumbers in pan and cook for 20 seconds longer. Taste and add more salt, pepper and lemon juice if necessary. Serve cucumbers and butter sauce over fish.