I can honestly admit that when my husband recommended that we make this recipe, my first impression was “who eats pate these days?” I have always been a fan of dips in general, especially served as an appetizer, but have never ventured on to make a pate. The richness of the smoked salmon blended with the seasonings is a real treat to serve for a dinner party or if you are expecting guests. The recipe used is from John’s grandmother Barb who would serve this with large gatherings around birthdays and holidays. If you like smoked salmon, trust me, this simple recipe requires little prep time and is so delicious.
What Makes a Pate a Pate?
A pate is a type of spreadable food made from finely ground ingredients, such as meat, fish, vegetables, or eggs. It can be served hot or cold and is often used as an appetizer or snack. Pates are usually seasoned with herbs and spices to enhance their flavor.
The key to making a good pate is the texture.
Smoked salmon, dill and lemon paté is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that can be served with crackers or toast. The key to making a good pate is the texture. All of the ingredients should be finely ground so that they blend together smoothly.
What is Smoked Salmon Pate made of?
Smoked Salmon Pate is a delicious and creamy spread made from smoked salmon, fresh dill, lemon juice, cream cheese, black pepper, capers, cognac, red onion, and butter. The smoked salmon gives the pate its unique flavor and texture while the dill and lemon add a bright and zesty flavor. The cream cheese helps to thicken the mixture while the butter adds a bit of richness. Make sure that you use fresh salmon (or as fresh as you can get) for enhanced flavor.
Smoked Salmon Pate is easy to make and can be prepared in just minutes.
Food that Pairs Well With Salmon Pate
When serving salmon pate, it is highly recommended to serve on or with toast points. Grab yourself some refined white bread and slightly toast it. You will be so satisfied with the creamy salmon pate against the crunch of the toast point. As an appetizer, smoked salmon pate also pairs really well with water crackers. If you have a low carb dieter or gluten free person in the mix, try using cucumber slices and crudite to serve the smoked salmon pate.
Ingredients
1 pound Smoked salmon (skinned)
6 Tablespoons Butter
12 ounces cream cheese
1 medium red onion minced
2 tablespoons cognac
1/ 4 cup fresh dill
2 tablespoons capers
Freshly Ground pepper to taste
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Recipe
This recipe makes a lot of pate- you can divide into 2-4 appetizer Smoked Salmon Pate is easy to make and can be prepared in just minutes. Start by combining the room temperature butter and cream cheese in a food processor or stand mixer until smooth. Make sure to have a rubber spatula nearby to scrape down the bowl. Add the red onion and capers. Then add the dill, pepper, lemon juice, cognac and smoked salmon until it’s pate chunky or pate smooth- depending on how you prefer the texture. Make sure to remove the salmon trimmings from the skin, do not include the salmon skin in the mixture. Then transfer the pate into an airtight container to either chill for a few hours in the refrigerator or place in the freezer.
Can I Freeze Salmon Pate?
You can freeze fully prepared smoked salmon pate for a few months in the freezer using and airtight container. Remember to pull out to thaw a few hours prior to serving depending on how much you plan to freeze.
Looking for more great recipes? Check out these additional recipes on different methods to make salmon pate:
- Smoked Salmon Spread – The Jam Jar Kitchen – This delicious smoked salmon and cream cheese spread is so simple to throw together and packs a big punch of fresh flavor. (jamjarkitchen.com)
- Smoked salmon pate – Caroline’s Cooking – This smoked salmon pate is jam-packed with delicious salmon flavor and really easy to make. It’s perfect to top canapes, as part of a cheeseboard or in sandwiches. (carolinescooking.com)
- Simple smoked salmon p’té recipe – BBC Food – Whizz up this zesty smoked salmon p’té with cream cheese – it tastes great on thinly sliced soda bread or a posh cracker for an easy starter. (bbc.co.uk)
- Smoked Salmon Mousse (5-minute recipe!) – The Endless Meal® – This easy smoked salmon mousse recipe takes only 5 minutes to make and is a sure way to impress your guests. Pipe the tasty mousse onto healthy cucumber rounds, crackers, or put it into a bowl to serve as a dip. (theendlessmeal.com)
Try this recipe? Please let me know in the comments.
