Description
Ina Garten’s smoked salmon dip brings coastal elegance to your appetizer spread with creamy Philadelphia cream cheese and luxurious smoked salmon. Silky smooth and rich with dill and lemon, this gourmet starter promises to elevate any gathering with its sophisticated Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
- ¼ pound (4 ounces or 113 grams) smoked salmon, minced
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced fresh dill
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) freshly ground black pepper
Condiments:
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) prepared horseradish, drained
Instructions
- Utilize an electric mixer with a paddle attachment to transform the cream cheese into a silky, uniform texture, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Incorporate freshly chopped dill, zesty horseradish, tangy sour cream, bright lemon juice, and a precise balance of salt and pepper into the cream cheese mixture, stirring until thoroughly integrated.
- Gently fold in delicate pieces of smoked salmon, distributing them evenly throughout the creamy spread, taking care not to break the fish into tiny fragments.
- Refrigerate the salmon spread for approximately 30 minutes (15-45 centimeters/6-18 inches deep in the chiller) to allow flavors to meld and develop a more cohesive taste profile.
- Before serving, let the spread rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly, enhancing its spreadability.
- Present the salmon spread alongside crisp artisan crackers, fresh vegetable crudités, or thinly sliced toasted baguette rounds to complement its rich, complex flavors.
Notes
- Chill the dip for at least an hour to let flavors meld and intensify.
- Garnish with fresh dill or chives right before serving for a pop of color and extra freshness.
- Use high-quality cream cheese and smoked salmon for the most vibrant taste experience.
- Leftovers stay delicious when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serve with crispy crackers, toasted baguette slices, or fresh vegetable sticks for perfect dipping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg