Recipe

Smoked Salmon Pâté

By:

Co+op

Recipe Information

Total Time:

6 hours; 15-20 minutes active

Servings:

8-10

Simple to make, this smooth pate looks impressive served with toasted baguette slices or crackers, or with a mixed salad.

Ingredients

1 seedless cucumber (English or other type), sliced into paper-thin rounds
8 ounces hot-smoked salmon
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces crème fraiche
2 tablespoons capers, drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Pinch of ground black pepper

Preparation

Line a 1-quart loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving a few inches of overhang on each side of the pan. Arrange rows of fanned-out sliced cucumbers in the bottom and up the sides of the plastic-lined pan, reserving enough slices to cover the top of pâté.
Remove the skin from the smoked salmon and roughly chop the flesh. In a food processor, blend all remaining ingredients except for the reserved cucumber slices. Carefully pour the pâté into the cucumber-lined pan and top with remaining cucumber slices to cover. Wrap the pâté with the overhanging plastic wrap and nest another loaf pan on top containing something heavy (like a couple of cans of beans) to weigh it down. Refrigerate for 6 hours or longer. Unwrap and gently turn out the pâté onto a serving dish.

Serving Suggestion

Simple to make, this smooth pate looks impressive served with toasted baguette slices or crackers as an appetizer, or accompanied by a mixed green or grain salad dressed in vinaigrette for a light lunch. Substitute sour cream for crème fraiche if desired.