In the latest and final installment of "The Appetizer Diaries", I present to you Salmon "Tartare" on new potato slices.
Originally, I wanted to make Thomas Keller's Salmon Tartare Cornets. I knew they would be a lot of work, but that the payoff would be totally worth it. Unfortunately, I couldn't find sashimi grade salmon anywhere, so I needed a new salmon recipe. So I scrambled and found this recipe way back in the Archives of Gourmet Magazine, June 1995.
1995! My first year of high school! The year of Windows 95 (Thanks Bill Gates), the announcement of the upcoming new DVD technology, the first computer generated film: Toy Story, a pre-crazy Mel Gibson in blue face paint as Braveheart, the end of the MLB Baseball strike, the song that would never get out of your head: "I'll Be There for You" by the Rembrandts (better known as the "Friends" theme song), and apparently, fake salmon tartare.
But let me tell you something. Apparently 1995 got something right, because this dish is amazing. This dish is a textural delight. Slightly firm potato slices are topped with a creamy mixture of diced smoked salmon mixed with creme fraiche with crunchy diced red onion and chives thrown in. These flew off the trays. Best of all... these are ready in 10 minutes. Holla!
The Thomas Keller dish would have been a lot of work for a great payoff and these were a small amount of work for a great payoff. So I think it worked out just fine.
Smoked Salmon Tartare on New Potatoes adapted from Gourmet Magazine
Yield: Makes 24 hors d'oeuvres
6 red potatoes, 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter (about 3/4 pound)
For "tartare"
1/4 pound smoked salmon, chopped
fine
2 tablespoons finely chopped red
onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup creme fraiche (use sour cream if you do not have creme fraiche)
Slice potatoes into twenty-four 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Boil potato slices, covered, until tender, about 10 minutes, and cool completely. Potato slices may be steamed 1 day ahead and kept in a sealed plastic bag, chilled. Bring potato slices to room temperature before proceeding with recipe.
Make "tartare":
In a bowl stir together "tartare" ingredients and salt and pepper to taste.
To assemble hors d'oeuvres:
Brush tops of potato slices with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Top each slice with a heaping 1/2 teaspoon "tartare".
These are so smart! I am definitely bookmarking and trying this out!
Posted by: maggie | August 27, 2009 at 09:10 AM
I once got berated by a table of friends for suggesting that we are children of the 90s since we went to college in the 90s. Well, when I first read your reference to "I'll Be There for You," I immediately thought it was the one by Bon Jovi, proving my friends' point that I am indeed a child of the 80s. I am glad that the same year that brought us Boyz II Men also gave us this incredible salmon appetizer. It looks ah-maz-ing! And in my book a "small amount of work for a great payoff" is the highest compliment that a recipe can receive!
Posted by: Cathy | August 27, 2009 at 09:49 AM
You just brought back so many memories for me. LOL. Ah, the 90s. Mmm...perfect appetizers. Love salmon. I love that you used the potato slices instead of crackers. Good choice.
Posted by: jenn | August 27, 2009 at 02:19 PM
I can't find sushi-grade salmon around here either, but this looks like a fabulous substitute. And just seeing the words 'creme fraiche' made me drool! Bookmarking the recipe :)
Posted by: Phyllis (me HUNGRY!) | August 27, 2009 at 03:00 PM
This looks so delicious!
Posted by: Dawn (foodnfit) | August 27, 2009 at 05:16 PM
Yummie, great idea for appetizer...love smoked salmon...very creative!
Posted by: Juliana | August 27, 2009 at 05:25 PM
Wow...thank you for that walk down memory lane! I think we are the exact same age! I definitely had "The Rachel" haircut. Pretty bad. Love your blog!
Posted by: rebekka | August 27, 2009 at 05:42 PM
Those look so tasty! I would never find sushi-grade salmon here (and I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to serve it even if I did!), but I love this recipe using smoked salmon. It sounds great!
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | August 27, 2009 at 08:18 PM
T,
I love smoked salmon and w/ potato slices it is the perfect appetizer!
Posted by: Stacey Snacks | August 27, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Dude!
I just saw you mentioned me in your interview with Blogher! http://www.blogher.com/spork-or-foon-profile-funny-food-blog?from=nethed
I am so flattered. You rock!
When did you do the interview? Ah, I hope your opinions haven't changed :-(
Haha. Love ya!
-Heather
Posted by: Scootabaker | August 27, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Wow.
This looks incredible!!
This is going to be a must try at my next get together!
Posted by: My Food and Life Encounters | August 28, 2009 at 07:40 AM
This sounds like a great combination. Wish I could pick one off the tray right now.
Posted by: lisaiscooking | August 28, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Those are wonderful, delicate little bites! Perfect appetizers, I love that you are serving the tartare on the potato slices!
Posted by: Natasha - 5 Star Foodie | August 28, 2009 at 12:41 PM
vat a great combo!! love potato and salmon together!! :) specially ven its smoked!! yumm!!
cheers!!
Posted by: nora@ffr | August 28, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Great looking appetizer! I'm sure TK would approve it of :)
Posted by: Michelle from Baken | August 29, 2009 at 12:43 PM
I just returned from my 20-year high school reunion, so it was a little sobering to read that you started high school in 1995. Ouch! That aside, this appetizer looks amazing and I can't wait to try it.
Posted by: Cookin' Canuck | August 29, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Yay! They sound yummy.
(on a similar note, I recently tried the wild salmon tartare from Bouchon when I was in Las Vegas. OMG. The best i've ever tasted.)
Posted by: Wendy | August 29, 2009 at 09:04 PM
These look amazing Teanna. I like how they look and I bet they taste great too.
Posted by: Lori | August 29, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Those are beautiful. Nice work!
Posted by: cheffresco | August 30, 2009 at 08:48 AM
It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.
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