"I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house. So I have spent almost all of the daylight hours in the open air." Nathaniel Hawthorne. The arrival of meteorological fall gives way to the anticipation of the relief from the hot, humid weather; the arrival of cool, crisp days ; and, visions of the rich tapestry of colors sweeping the landscape. While many prefer to wait several weeks to mark autumn's official arrival, the upcoming Labor Day weekend serves as a second, sometimes unwelcome, reminder that summer will soon be ending. Barbecues and picnics, weekend trips, and long walks and days at the beach are some of the rituals easing us into the changing of the seasons. Yet, in spite of our best efforts, nothing permanently delays nature's inevitable metamorphosis.
With the days getting shorter, the less time spent indoors the better. Even those of us who enjoy spending time in the kitchen want to be able to take in as much fresh air and sunshine as possible. Which means for those planned and impromptu gatherings we all must have at least one appetizer recipe with easily accessible ingredients. One that comes together in a single bowl in a matter of minutes; requires no overnight thawing or chilling; doesn't require the use of an oven; looks impressive; and, tastes ten times, no a hundred times better than any of the prepared foods we are tempted to buy when feeling time-challenged. If there was ever an appetizer to meet this rather tall order it would be this Smoked Salmon Spread.
The difference between a just okay, nothing to write home about Smoked Salmon Spread and one causing people to hover over the bowl as if this is there last meal, is the quality of the smoked salmon. Not all smoked salmons are created equal. Smoked salmon is a blanket term for any salmon: wild, farmed, fillet, steak, cured with hot or cold smoke. And not to be confused with lox, salmon cured in salt or a salt-brine. For everything you ever wanted to know about what makes for the perfect smoked salmon, David Rosengarten wrote a great piece called "The Smoked Salmon Maze". But as with anything, taste is sometimes a matter of preference. A seven hour round trip to Pentwater, Michigan is the only thing standing in the way from me and what I think is the most delicious Norwegian smoked salmon on the planet. But there comes a point where one has to be practical. I can't believe I just said that. So unless you leave in a town where smoked salmon is readily available from your fish market or you live at least within an hour of Pentwater, then Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are most likely going to be your best sources for some really good smoked salmon.
Room temperature cream cheese, mayonnaise (the real stuff, not Miracle Whip), scallions, smoked salmon, garlic powder and sea salt create a sinfully creamy spread.
To make your life and the making of this appetizer easier, try to find a piece of deboned smoked salmon.
After mixing together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder and sea salt, the pieces of smoked salmon and thinly sliced scallions are gently stirred in. You can have this appetizer made and ready to serve in less than 15 minutes. If you prefer to serve it chilled, make it several hours in advance or the night before.
Whenever serving a spread I like to top it with its' main ingredients. Just so everyone knows what it is they are eating.
The Smoked Salmon Spread pairs well with an assortment of crackers, crostini or freshly sliced baguettes.
If you are looking for a hostess gift or dish to bring to a gathering this weekend or in the months ahead, make this spread. Pack it in a beautiful re-usable jar or spread it on a pretty dish. Pretty meaning the kind you would want to keep for yourself. This Smoked Salmon Spread will ensure you will be invited back! And if there isn't anything on the menu you are crazy about, well then at least eating the Salmon Spread will make you happy as well as help you absorb your intake of alcohol! Not only is this a great appetizer for end of summer and fall entertaining, it may fall into the most perfect year round appetizer category. Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!
Smoked Salmon Spread
Ingredients
5-6 ounces deboned, smoked salmon (Norwegian or Atlantic), cut into pieces (Note: If you like more salmon in your spread, increase up to 8 ounces)
8 ounces cream cheese softened
3 Tablespoons mayonnaise (recommend Hellman's or Duke's mayonnaise)
3 scallions, thinly sliced, both green and white parts
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Crackers, crostini, or a sliced baguette for serving
Directions
1. In a medium sized bowl, mix together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder and sea salt until smooth.
2. Add in salmon and scallions and mix gently until blended.
3. Serve immediately with crackers, crostini or bread or cover and serve chilled.
Bortell's in Pentwater, Michigan. A family-owned business famous for their fried and smoked fish.
