Smoked salmon, although it looks like raw fish, is safe to eat -- don’t worry! As well as being a tasty sandwich filling, smoked salmon is packed full of nutritional benefits. It is high in omega three, vitamin Bs, selenium, and vitamin D, which are needed for energy, immunity, and cell recovery.
The smoking process typically occurs in two ways, and is described as "hot smoking" or "cold smoking." Hot smoking salmon involves cooking the fish all the way through with smoke at a temperature of 120-180 F. Cold smoking, by comparison, involves the salmon being cured in salt for 24 hours before being smoked at 75-85F. Both are quite safe to eat (though extra caution should be taken in pregnancy and for the elderly). Depending on the method of smoking that has been used, the salmon will take on a different flavor, texture, and color.
Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches
For my smoked salmon tea sandwiches, I used cold smoked salmon. Tasty and refreshing, it’s the perfect pairing for the silky cream cheese we use to fill our tea sandwiches. If you’ve never tried smoked salmon, give it a go! These tea sandwiches are a light and easy way to introduce yourself and others to smoked salmon.
You can usually find cold smoked salmon in the deli section of your supermarket or by visiting your local fishmonger. It is available to purchase in a variety of thicknesses, but the thinly sliced version is usually best for tea sandwiches. If the salmon is cut too thickly, you may find that the flavor will be unbalanced between the salmon, cream cheese, and dill or other herbs used. You can always double layer your salmon if you decide it’s looking a little light.
For your salmon tea sandwiches, a spreadable cream cheese will be easiest as you can ensure an even distribution across the bread. Don’t be shy with the cream cheese! Salmon can be quite a dominating flavor if not balanced correctly, so ensure you have a generous amount of cream on your bread. You can mix herbs such as dill into your cream cheese to give an extra pop of flavor to these simple sandwiches.
Speaking of bread, this recipe can be made with plain white or rye bread, whichever you prefer. I used an olive and herb bread which went very nicely with the flavor of the salmon and cream cheese. If mixing dill or other herbs such as parsley into your cream cheese, probably best to stick with plain or rye bread so you don’t overwhelm your taste buds.
As an alternative, if sandwiches aren’t your cup of tea, or if you need a quick and inexpensive gluten free option, you can make this recipe on a rice cracker or rice cake. The crunch of the cracker adds a nice texture change and is perfect for afternoon tea or even lunchtime. Simply substitute your bread for the cracker and you’ve got an impressive dish in under two minutes. Perfect for no-fuss entertainers.
Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches
Ingredients:
- Thinly sliced smoked salmon (cold)
- Spreadable cream cheese
- 4 slices bread
- Fresh dill (optional)
Directions:
Spread cream cheese thickly on two slices of bread.
If desired, cut dill finely with either kitchen scissors or knife and sprinkle on cream cheese evenly. You may wish to mix dill into cream cheese prior to spreading on bread. If so, mix gently in a small container with your spreading knife.
Layer thinly sliced smoked salmon over the cream cheese on bread. Top each slice with another slice of bread.
With a sharp knife, cut sandwich into desired shapes and present on a plate or platter. Repeat process until you have the desired number of sandwiches.
Tea and Salmon Tea Sandwich Pairings
Pair your salmon sandwiches with a gentle-tasting tea such as a green or white so that the flavors are not in competition with one another. As this is a refreshing and light dish, ensure you select teas that are equally light. Tea with lemon or other citrus notes, such as the Kitchen Table green and black blend with citrus or Queen's Blend lemon Earl Grey, work well.
