Tag: appetizers

Pickled Salmon with Buttered Pumpernickel

Pickled Salmon with Butter Pumpernickel

Pickled Salmon with Buttered Pumpernickel

Pickled salmon is a study in balance — delicate yet bold, bright yet savory. Thick-cut king salmon steaks are trimmed into even chunks, salted, then gently poached until just set. The fish absorbs a fragrant brine of vinegar, shallot, dill, rosemary, and jalapeño, creating layers of flavor that are clean and complex. The texture remains tender but firm, each piece glistening in a lightly aromatic oil-and-vinegar marinade.

Served chilled with buttered pumpernickel, the pairing brings contrast and depth — the bread’s dark, slightly sweet notes underscore the salmon’s gentle acidity and herbal lift. Each bite captures the essence of coastal simplicity — clean, briny, and deeply satisfying.

Pickled Salmon with Butter Pumpernickel

Pickled Salmon Recipe

Continue reading “Pickled Salmon with Buttered Pumpernickel”

Salmon Rillettes (from leftovers)

Salmon Rillettes

Salmon Rillettes

Brioche Toast Points, Cucumber Slices
Radish, Lemon
Pickled Onion and Olive Skewers

Using leftover smoked salmon and roasted salmon for rillettes is a perfect idea because it turns odds and ends into something luxurious without waste.

Salmon Rillettes

Serving it with brioche toast points adds a touch of buttery sweetness and crunch, while the thick cucumber slices act as a crisp, refreshing vehicle for the salmon.

The little skewers of cocktail onions, Castelvetrano olives, and cherry tomatoes introduce briny, tangy, and juicy notes, giving each bite complexity and brightness. While sliced red radish adds peppery crunch, and the thin lemon slices let guests add a fresh, zesty lift whenever they like.

Altogether, it’s a gorgeously balanced appetizer platter—texturally varied, visually appealing, and perfect for entertaining. It turns simple leftovers into something that looks and tastes like a restaurant-quality hors d’oeuvre.

Salmon Rillettes (from leftovers)

 

Salmon Rillettes (from leftovers) Recipe

Continue reading “Salmon Rillettes (from leftovers)”

Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri

Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri

Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri
Garlicky Smoked Creme Fraiche & Lemony Arugula Salad

Juicy lamb rib chops are cut from the rack and cooked to medium with a nice crust. Each chop gets a spoonful of chimichurri right on the tip of the meat for a fresh, herby kick. They’re served over a bed of peppery arugula tossed with lemon, and come with a side of garlicky smoked crème fraîche for dipping. It’s an impressive yet effortless starter guaranteed to disappear in minutes.

Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri

Chops go straight from the fridge into a hot pan—rubbed with olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper, and seared over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes per side. Rested before serving so they stay tender and flavorful.

Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri Recipe

Continue reading “Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri”

Extra Smoky Eggplant Dip (Baba Ganoush)

Extra Smoky Eggplant Dip (Baba Ganoush)

🍆 Extra Smoky Eggplant Dip 🍆
Baba Ganoush

Baba ganoush is a beloved Middle Eastern dip that celebrates the smoky, earthy flavors of roasted eggplant.

At its core, baba ganoush is made from charred or roasted eggplant, which is blended with tahini (sesame seed paste), garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. The result is a creamy, slightly tangy, and nutty dip with a hint of smokiness, thanks to the roasted eggplant.

Here, the traditional ingredients are used but for extra smokiness a few drops of natural hickory liquid smoke are added. Fans of smoky foods will swoon over this recipe.

Served with pita, cucumber, radish, and gluten-free crackers, this is a terrific vegan appetizer to serve before Thanksgiving (or any) big dinner. With wide appeal, it has tons of flavor, color, and crunch and won’t fill up your guests before the main event.

Extra Smoky Eggplant Dip Recipe

Continue reading “Extra Smoky Eggplant Dip (Baba Ganoush)”

Charred Octopus Appetizer

Tender Charred Octopus

🐙 🐙 Tender Charred Octopus 🐙 🐙
with
Royal Corona Beans, Charred Tomato, Jalapeño, and Lemon
Fried Capers, Fresh Oregano, Olive Oil

What better way to celebrate our great spring weather than with a charred smoky octopus appetizer? Truth be told, we actually cook outside on the Blaze Grill all year long here in Las Vegas, but it is especially nice in April when it’s not too hot and not too cold.

Here I begin with Cooked Octopus Tentacles (Pulpo Cocido). Among other places, this product can be found in the refrigerated seafood section at Costco. The octopus is from the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean, a product of Spain. It has already been cleaned and tentacles have been separated from the head. Preparation is as easy as opening the package.

The tender pre-cooked octopus is marinated in olive oil and dried oregano, then grilled until it is hot, smoky, and charred. It is plated with enormous creamy royal corona beans; charred tomatoes, jalapeños, and lemons; and fried capers. It is so tasty, colorful, and impressive that your guests will definitely think “restaurant quality.” Crusty bread makes a great accompaniment, along with a local IPA or a nice Sauvignon Blanc.

Tender Charred Octopus

Charred Octopus Appetizer Recipe

Continue reading “Charred Octopus Appetizer”