Smoked Salmon Layer Food

SMOKED SALMON PLATTER

Steps:

• Boil the eggs. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil over medium-high heat (make sure the saucepan can hold all the eggs in one single layer). Using a spoon, very gently lower the eggs in the boiling water large. Cook for exactly 6½ minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle boil. When the eggs are ready, transfer them to a large bowl of iced water and let them sit for about 2 minutes. Peel the eggs and cut them in halves and season with kosher salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper (which is milder and has a slightly sweeter finish).
• To assemble the salmon platter, place a small bowl of cream cheese or labneh in one third of the the platter. Place the feta cheese in another corner of the platter. Arrange the salmon, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, radish, onions, olives, artichoke hearts and lemon wedges around the cheese. Sprinkle a little more red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper.
• Serve with your favorite crackers, crostini, bagels, pita wedges or even pita chips!

SMOKED SALMON 7-LAYER DIP

Steps:

• Line a 6"-diameter ring mold, 6"-diameter cake pan or springform pan, or 16-oz. ramekin with plastic wrap, pressing it along the bottom and up the sides (you can also use a small bowl, but the layers won't be quite as even). Pulse cream cheese, goat cheese, horseradish, and lemon zest in a food processor until well combined and creamy.
• Press a third of smoked salmon into an even layer across the bottom of mold. Spread half of cream cheese mixture evenly over salmon, smoothing surface with a rubber spatula.
• Toss radishes and onion in a small bowl to combine, then scatter over cream cheese mixture and press down lightly into mixture. Top with half of remaining salmon, making an even layer, then scatter capers over. Spread remaining cream cheese mixture over capers and finish with a final layer of the remaining salmon. Cover dip with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour to let dip set and flavors meld.
• Uncover dip and carefully invert onto a plate. Remove ring mold, then carefully peel away plastic. Top with chives. Serve with endives and bagel chips for spreading over.

SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together salt, sugar, brown sugar and peppercorns. Spread extra-wide aluminum foil a little longer than the length of the fish and top with an equally long layer of plastic wrap. Sprinkle 1/3 of the rub onto the plastic. Lay 1 side of the fish skin down onto the rub. Sprinkle 1/3 of the rub onto the flesh of the salmon. Place second side of salmon, flesh down onto the first side. Use the remaining rub to cover the skin on the top piece. Fold plastic over to cover then close edges of foil together and crimp tightly around the fish. Place wrapped fish onto a plank or sheet pan and top with another plank or pan. Weigh with a heavy phone book or a brick or two and refrigerate for 12 hours. Flip the fish over and refrigerate another 12 hours. Some juice will leak out during the process so make sure there's a place for the runoff to gather. Unwrap fish and rinse off the cure with cold water. Pat salmon with paper towels then place in a cool, dry place (not the refrigerator) until the surface of the fish is dry and matte-like, 1 to 3 hours depending on humidity. A fan may be used to speed the process. Smoke fish (see Note) over smoldering hardwood chips or sawdust, keeping the temperature inside the smoker between 150 degrees F and 160 degrees F until the thickest part of the fish registers 150 degrees. Serve immediately or cool to room temperature, wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Cook's Note: Trout, mackerel, and bluefish also smoke well.

SMOKED SALMON OMELETTE

Steps:

• (Note: If using a nonstick skillet, skip this step.) To prepare a black steel skillet: Heat skillet over medium heat until it starts smoking. Spread salt in an even layer. Use several layers of paper towels to rub the salt into the skillet, releasing any impurities stuck to the bottom; be very careful, as the skillet is hot! When the bottom is smooth, turn off heat and discard salt. You have just created a clean, nonstick surface for the eggs-so you're ready to cook!
• Make clarified butter: In a small saucepan, melt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter over medium heat and bring to a simmer, 5-7 minutes. As white foam collects on the surface, skim off with a small ladle or spoon and discard; these are the milk solids. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue skimming until the butter is clear. Pour the clarified butter through a cheesecloth-lined strainer to catch the smaller milk solids, and set aside. (Note: Clarified butter has a higher smoke point than regular butter, allowing for cooking at higher temperatures. It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several months.) Cut smoked salmon into ¼-inch slices. Set aside. Crack eggs into a medium bowl. Add a few pinches of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Use a fork to whisk until thoroughly combined, about 1 minute.
• Heat the black steel skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon clarified butter and swirl to coat the bottom and partway up the sides. Pour the eggs into the hot skillet. Begin quickly and gently shaking the skillet, while also stirring the eggs vigorously with a fork (or a rubber spatula, if you're using a nonstick skillet). Use small circular movements to loosen the curds and lightly scramble. While scrambling, occasionally run the fork around the edge of the skillet, moving the cooked egg back into the center, 30-45 seconds. Switch to a heatproof rubber spatula; continue shaking the skillet, loosening the cooked egg from the edges, and lightly scrambling until the eggs are half curdled, about 20 more seconds. Tap the skillet on the stovetop several times to level the eggs. Turn heat to low. Working quickly, place salmon slices in an even layer across the center of the eggs. Use a zester to add about ½ teaspoon lemon zest over the salmon, followed by chopped chives.
• Tilting the skillet slightly away from yourself, begin rolling the omelette: First, loosen the edge closest to the handle, then roll it toward the middle. Add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and let it melt along the exterior of the omelette.When the omelette is half-rolled, run the spatula around the far edge to release the eggs from the skillet. Then tilt the skillet more sharply and tap it firmly on the stovetop to loosen the omelette. Bang on the handle with your free hand to help the far edge begin to roll up, and use the spatula as needed to fold it toward the center of the omelette. Holding the skillet over the plate, roll the omelette and gently flip it onto the plate, seam side down.
• If necessary, use your hands or a spatula to gently perfect the shape and tuck in any loose edges. Spread remaining ½ tablespoon butter across the top of the omelette. Garnish with a spoonful of caviar on top and serve immediately.

SMOKED SALMON LAYER

Steps:

• Grate the carrot, radishes and cucumber, discarding the cucumber seeds. Mix in the cheese, lemon or lime juice and most of the coriander, then season. Lay a slice of salmon on a plate, top with veg mix, then drape over the other slice. Scatter with remaining coriander, drizzle with olive oil and serve with bread and butter.