Holy Capers—Salmon Avocado Toast

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? A Burst of Flavor: Holy Capers-Salmon Avocado Toast! Whenever I have leftover grilled salmon, this is my favorite indulgence. The first time I made it, my husband and I literally stood at the kitchen counter nibbling on it until it was completely gone. Each morsel had us licking our fingers and begging for more. The combination of lemon thyme and salty capers balance the slightly smoky texture of the salmon. It’s followed by a crunch of sesame seed artisan toast with a creamy avocado finish. If you take the time to sit down and enjoy this delightful open-face sandwich, think about pairing it with a light and fruity rosé wine. It’ll tickle your palate and have you giggling all afternoon or evening long. 

HOLY CAPERS—SALMON AVOCADO TOAST

Ingredients:

6 ounces of grilled salmon fillet, flaked 

Sprigs of fresh lemon thyme

2 teaspoons imported capers, non-pareil 

2 slices of sesame artisan bread, toasted

1 small avocado, mashed

1 small tomatillo, diced

Pinch of garlic powder 

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions:

Make sure the grilled salmon fillet is flaked. Set aside. Combine the mashed avocado, diced tomatillos, garlic powder, and lemon juice in a bowl. Blend well. To assemble the open-face sandwich, place the toasted artisan sesame slice on a luncheon plate. Next spoon avocado mixture over top. Layer flaked salmon over all. Sprinkle with capers and garnish with lemon thyme. 

Driving Dill Crazy on Cedar Plank Salmon

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? A Burst of Flavor: Driving Dill Crazy on Cedar Plank Salmon! Tired of multi-tasking?  Here’s a solution to the never-ending question of “What’s for Dinner?”  This is the BEST way to grill salmon when you’re at the end of a day that seemed long and demanding. Simply thaw and grill. The supermarket was featuring delicately seasoned Atlantic salmon on a pre-soaked cedar plank. Not only does it taste amazing, but clean-up is a breeze. There’s even enough for a meal later on. Stay tuned. 

DRIVING DILL CRAZY ON CEDAR PLANK SALMON

Ingredients:

1 24-ounce package of Cedar Bay Salmon, Applewood with Orange and Ginger seasoning

Instructions:

Preheat grill to 425°. Place the thawed salmon and plank directly on the middle rack. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Do not over cook. The flesh becomes flakey and pink in the center. Serve with your favorite salad or side dish. 

Smoked Salmon Dill Spread

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Smoked Salmon Dill Spread with Crudités!  For those who appreciate a healthy choice while socializing, this one is for the books!  Add an assortment of baked bagel chips for a salty crunch finish. 

SMOKED SALMON DILL SPREAD

Ingredients:

8 ounces of Neufchâtel cheese 

2 tablespoons prepared horseradish 

2 tablespoons fresh Dill, chopped 

Dash of White Pepper 

1/4 pound Smoked Salmon, chopped

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together, form into a log, and refrigerate at least one hour. Serve with your favorite raw vegetables cut into bite-size pieces to create a crudité platter. 

Wild Salmon Avocado Toast

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Uplifting Aromas: Wild Salmon Avocado Toast! Receiving gourmet food makes for an exciting day. I mean, name a foodie who doesn’t like yummy surprises of that nature. When I received a box of Pacific Northwest Smoked Wild Salmon from dear family members living on the opposite coast, I practically jumped up and down. Everything was fully-cooked, ready to serve, smoked, and vacuumed sealed, needing absolutely no refrigeration. I couldn’t ask for more. I am so thankful we live in a very special time when gourmet and specialty foods can be ordered online and practically delivered next day. Now there’s no reason to miss out on those fabulous items that were once restricted to geographical locations. We can have it all at the click of a button. 

WILD SALMON AVOCADO TOAST

Ingredients:

2 slices baguette, toasted

1 tablespoon sea salt butter

1 small avocado, pitted and slightly mashed

1 slice red onion, roughly chopped 

2 ounces smoked wild salmon, flaked 

1 teaspoon capers

Everything But Bagel seasoning

Instructions:

To build-a-breakfast, place warm baguette slices on a plate. Spread each with sea salt butter. Cover each piece of toast with the slightly mashed avocado. Add the red onions. Arrange the smoked wild salmon as the next layer. Top with capers. Sprinkle Everything But Bagel seasoning over all. Serve with eggs, if desired. 

Himalayan Salt Plate Lox and Bagels

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Himalayan Salt Plate Lox and Bagels! My newest kitchen “toy” is the Himalayan Salt Plate. Not only does it create a stunning presentation, it brings a subtle and unexpected flavor to foods served on it. First, chill it in the refrigerator overnight. It then becomes a serving platter on the table or buffet line. Everything lays directly on the salt plate to absorb the nutrients. I chose Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon, for starters, with all the trimmings for an exquisite banquet. The lox is traditionally smoked and sliced thin. It smells divine when I break the seal. Arrange hard-boiled egg slices for essence and red onion for a blend of slightly sweet gusto. Sprinkle on imported nonpareil capers for seasoning that lingers. Slather toasted bagels with the creamy Neufchâtel cheese mixture before adding ingredients. Top with fresh dill which pulls everything together, in my opinion. Now dig in. 

HIMALAYAN SALT PLATE LOX AND BAGELS

Ingredients:

4 ounces applewood smoked salmon

2 hard boiled eggs, sliced 

1/4 red onion, sliced

2 tablespoons imported capers, nonpareil

2 sesame bagels, split and toasted

4 ounces Neufchâtel cheese

1 tablespoon Greek yogurt

Fresh dill sprigs

Instructions:

Mix the Neufchâtel cheese and Greek yogurt until smooth, light, and creamy. Slather onto a toasted bagel. Top with smoked salmon pieces, hard boiled eggs, red onion slice, and imported capers. Garnish with fresh dill sprig. 

Smoked Salmon Bagel

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Time To Eat: Smoked Salmon Bagel! Energize your morning with the natural protein of smoked salmon. When adding cheese, choose wisely because it doesn’t always have to be cream cheese. Goat cheese, Camembert, and Brie are nice alternatives, especially since they’re spreadable and you may already have them on hand. If you’re not very excited about tomatoes, switch them out for thinly sliced radishes or chilled cucumbers. Onions and capers add the zing that wows any family member or overnight guest. Put it all together and watch harmony reign.

SMOKED SALMON BAGEL

Ingredients:

1 bakery plain bagel, split and toasted

2 ounces smoked wild salmon, flaked

1 ounce cream cheese, softened

1 small tomato, sliced

1 slice red onion, roughly chopped

1 teaspoon capers

1 hard-boiled egg, sliced

Everything But Bagel seasoning

Dill weed, for garnish

Instructions:

To assemble ingredients, place toasted bagel split side up on a plate. In a small bowl, combine smoked salmon and cream cheese. Spread over the bagel. Top with a slice or two of tomato. Arrange red onion strips over tomato. Sprinkle capers over all. Either add a layer of hard-boiled eggs or eat them separately as you go. Spice it up with Everything But Bagel seasoning and dill weed. Enjoy.

Wild Salmon Avocado Toast

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Uplifting Aromas: Wild Salmon Avocado Toast! Receiving gourmet food makes for an exciting day. I mean, name a foodie who doesn’t like yummy surprises of that nature. When I received a box of Pacific Northwest Smoked Wild Salmon from dear family members living on the opposite coast, I practically jumped up and down. Everything was fully-cooked, ready to serve, smoked, and vacuumed sealed, needing absolutely no refrigeration. I couldn’t ask for more. I am so thankful we live in a very special time when gourmet and specialty foods can be ordered online and practically delivered next day. Now there’s no reason to miss out on those fabulous items that were once restricted to geographical locations. We can have it all at the click of a button.

WILD SALMON AVOCADO TOAST

Ingredients:

2 slices baguette, toasted

1 tablespoon sea salt butter

1 small avocado, pitted and slightly mashed

1 slice red onion, roughly chopped

2 ounces smoked wild salmon, flaked

1 teaspoon capers

Everything But Bagel seasoning

Instructions:

To build-a-breakfast, place warm baguette slices on a plate. Spread each with sea salt butter. Cover each piece of toast with the slightly mashed avocado. Add the red onions. Arrange the smoked wild salmon as the next layer. Top with capers. Sprinkle Everything But Bagel seasoning over all. Serve with eggs, if desired.

Smoked Salmon Dill Spread

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Delicious Holiday Foods: Smoked Salmon Dill Spread with Crudités! For those who appreciate a healthy choice while socializing, this one is for the books! Munch on crisp vegetable crudités. Add an assortment of baked bagel chips for a salty crunchy finish. Party On!


SMOKED SALMON DILL SPREAD


Ingredients:

8 ounces of Neufchâtel cheese 

2 tablespoons prepared horseradish 

2 tablespoons fresh Dill, chopped 

Dash of White Pepper 

1/4 pound Smoked Salmon, chopped


Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together, form into a log, and refrigerate at least one hour. Serve with your favorite raw vegetables cut into bite-size pieces to create a crudité platter.

Knäckebröd Cucumber Salmon Crispbread

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Equal Measures: Knäckebröd Cucumber Salmon Crispbread! Some days time is in short supply and all we can hope for is a “working lunch”. At least you can treat yourself to something a little bit gourmet that says “I’m really worth it.” Knäckebröd whole grain crispbread is mighty enough to hold a layer of herbed cream cheese, a mini slice of seedless cucumber, wild Alaskan smoked salmon, fresh dill weed and chopped chives. How’s that for refueling your work day? Be forewarned: your coworkers may gather round the desk in curiosity while you’re nibbling away on finger food. Just hold up a single digit and keep nibbling. After all, it’s impolite to talk with your mouth full.

KNÄCKEBÖRD CUCUMBER SALMON CRISPBREAD

Ingredients:

4-6 slices Knäckebröd sourdough crispbread

8 ounces Neufchâtel cheese, softened

1 tablespoon Italian herb seasoning mix

2 mini seedless cucumbers, sliced

4 ounces Wild Alaskan applewood smoked salmon

Sprig of dill weed

Fresh chives

Instructions:

Combine Neufchâtel cheese and Italian seasoning mix. Stir until blended. Store in a covered container. To assemble, lightly spread crispbread with a layer of herbed cream cheese. Next add one or two slices of seedless cucumber. Top with smoked salmon. Garnish with dill weed and fresh chives.