Hosting a gathering no matter the season is always a large undertaking.
When I consider all the foods I could serve, I narrow in on ones that make the most sense for ALL my guests.
You might also know that this is a high fat, low carb option, yeah!
Since I don’t eat meat, but I often eat seafood I consider those other non-meat eating people and get a little creative.
Today I will share my meatless easy smoked salmon with capers pinwheel appetizers that require NO cooking.
Naturally, this recipe is easy, and not time-consuming as all of my recipes follow int his tradition.
After all, parties, holidays, gatherings and basic cooking take up enough of our time, who needs to spend more time in the kitchen than necessary?
As a mom, daughter, granddaughter, aunt, great-grandaughter, I have learned from all the other ladies: make what you gotta and get out of the kitchen, it’s WINE Time!
Now with the holidays, parties, gatherings, etc., it’s time to prepare smoked salmon with capers pinwheel appetizers!
Smoked Salmon With Capers Pinwheel Appetizers
Pinwheels are just cute little rolled up, bites of food.
Inside of a pinwheel you’ll often find creamy pastes topped off with meats or toppings that just taste amazing together.
Some people might call this a pinwheel others might call it a roll-up.
Baby, it’s all the same thing in my little world of cooking.
Don’t let anyone get you upset with criticism of the name.
In fact, invite them to bring all the appetizers to the next gathering and that ought to shut them up!
Ok, time to be nice again.
Let’s talk about the recipe.
Try this Festive Holiday Dip you can use it any time of year.
It’s all in the zest!
Easy Smoked Salmon With Capers Pinwheel Appetizers are delicious.
This appetizer is no-bake, no-cook, no-fuss all the way around, but you do need this tip.
First, roll the lemon between the palm of your hand and the counter and do this for about 15 seconds.
Get the juice from the lemon warmed up and ready to share the wealth.
Before we discuss zesting, I wanted to make sure you see one of my favorite stainless steel zesting tools in case you need one!
Zesting allows you to amp up the flavor.
Now if you are not big on zest, cut down on it.
However, the contrast of citrus zest against smoked is sensational, so I say turn it up a bit and I have presented the recipe as such.
Try these Holly Jolly Wonton Chips for a Christmas party.
Don’t Melt It Please
Room temperature cream cheese works perfectly in this recipe.
Please do not melt this in the microwave or oven, because it won’t work.
Next, you can sub in scallion and chive cream cheese if you want even more flavor.
I however felt that the addition of capers took this in a different direction and decided to keep things simple.
Pepper is always best in this type of recipe when freshly milled, but if you don’t have a grinder or mill, just use what you have.
Pink Himalayan Salt is simply divine against the flavor of smoked, so if you have it use it instead of sea salt.
How about some melted snowman cookies with reindeer poop atop?
Fancy The Presentation of Smoked Salmon With Capers Pinwheel Appetizers?
There are some really large and thin round crackers available in the markets, etc.
You could place your roll on one of those.
Next, you can add sprigs of parsley to the serving platter.
Need more of a pop of color?
Sprinkle the platter with Smoked Paprika.
Last, you can use arugula underneath the pinwheel appetizers to give them more color.
Don’t forget to try this incredible goat cheese recipe that also is perfect party food!
Recipe For Smoked Salmon With Capers Pinwheel Appetizers
Smoked Salmon With Capers Pinwheel Appetizers
Ingredients
- 1 Large, SEEDLESS cucumber, washed and peeled.
- 8 oz. softened cream cheese cut into cubes
- 2 Teaspoons of lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 3 teaspoons of capers drained.
- 1 Tablespoon of Freshly Chopped Dill (if you don't like dill sub in 1:1 ratio tarragon, basil, or parsley, each will change the taste a bit though) You could also eliminate dill if you prefer)
- Freshly Milled Pepper a small sprinkle.
- 3 oz of smoked salmon ((chopped into many pieces you will use to top the cream cheese.
- Smoked Paprika (for decoration)
Instructions
CREAM CHEESE FILLING
Using a large glass bowl, and a mixer (it makes this easier and more evenly combined) combine the cream cheese with the zest of lemon and lemon.
Combine well.
Next. add in the fresh dill, salt, and pepper.
I do suggest adding the dill less so it does not impart a greater flavor than needed.
Set this mixture aside.
CUCUMBER SLICE PREP
First, take the end off of each side of the cucumber.
Don't over chop the end though.
Next, if you have a mandoline slicer you will use it to create thin slices of the cucumber lengthwise.
If you do not have a mandoline slicer, you can use a vegetable peeler, starting at one end and ending at the other will be how you will achieve your slices of cucumber.
Slice until you reach the middle and it is no longer LONG slices.
Place the slices aside.
PINWHEEL PREP (I suggest trying one before rolling all, and finding a method you like)
Now you are going to construct the pinwheels, one by one.
First, get your cream cheese mixture.
Working on a flat, nonslip surface (often a cutting board works best, it's time to fill the slice.
Lay the cucumber strip flat on the work surface.
Next, you will spread between 1 & 2 teaspoons of the cream cheese mixture along the length of the slice.
Do try to keep the mixture in the middle, as it will make it easier and cleaner-looking once wrapped.
Next, at the end of each cucumber strip, add just a bit extra of the mixture, this will help to 'secure' or close off the pinwheel.
Now it's time to add the chopped pieces of smoked salmon from end to end without overfilling the slice.
Finally, it is time to start on one end and get to the other, by tightly rolling the cucumber into a rollup.
If these give you a hassle, use a toothpick or wooden skewer to secure.
Repeat with the remaining cucumber slices and filling.
For those placing on a platter, before serving dash the platter with some smoked paprika, which will give it an eve more festive look.
Serve immediately and enjoy!~ Dana XO
Notes
Do not make the cream cheese runny.
I do not suggest microwaving it, or it will get runny and the recipe won't work.
Find middle ground when working with the cream cheese.
Softened but not melting.
If the first does not roll well, I suggest to finish lining each slice of cucumber on a cookie tray, and then striping it with cream cheese.
Chill it for 5 minutes and then try to roll, I've found this helpful in the past.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 263Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 679mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 9g
nutritional content is inaccurate
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