Description
Ina Garten’s smoked salmon spread delivers creamy coastal elegance with Mediterranean charm. Cream cheese, fresh dill, and luxurious smoked salmon blend seamlessly to create a sophisticated appetizer you can’t resist serving at your next gathering.
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
Additional Flavor:
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) prepared horseradish, drained
Instructions
- Utilize an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to transform the cream cheese into a silky, almost-smooth consistency, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Gently fold in the freshly chopped dill, zesty horseradish, creamy sour cream, bright lemon juice, and delicate seasoning of salt and freshly ground black pepper, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Incorporate the delicate, flaky smoked salmon into the mixture, carefully breaking it into small pieces to distribute evenly throughout the creamy base.
- For optimal flavor, seek out Norwegian smoked salmon, renowned for its less salty profile and drier texture compared to other varieties.
- Refrigerate the salmon spread for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more cohesive and sophisticated appetizer.
- Serve chilled alongside crisp crackers, fresh vegetable crudités, or artisan bread slices for an elegant and satisfying appetizer or light snack.
Notes
- Creamy texture flows best when cream cheese softens at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing.
- Finely chopping smoked salmon ensures every bite delivers consistent flavor throughout the spread.
- Horseradish intensity can be customized by gradually adding and tasting to match personal heat preferences.
- Chilling the dip for an hour before serving allows flavors to meld and develop a more robust taste profile.
- Leftovers stay fresh when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg