Dive fork-first into the world of smoked salmon toast! This isn't just your ordinary breakfast fare; it's a customizable, quick, and delicious meal perfect for any time of the day. So, whether you're a morning bird or a night owl, get ready to elevate your toast game to gourmet levels.
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Ingredients List
Smoked Salmon: The star of our toast recipe. Look for it in the seafood section of your local grocery stores.
Sourdough Bread Slices: We're big fans of rye bread, but feel free to use your favorite.
Garlic & Herb Alouette Cheese: A soft cheese that's a close cousin to cream cheese. Cream cheese or goat cheese can be substituted if needed.
Unsalted Butter: higher quality if possible. Olive oil can be used as a substitute.
Fresh Dill: For a pop of fresh herbs
Kosher Salt: For seasoning your sourdough
Fresh Ground Black Pepper: For seasoning your sourdough and possibly garnish.
Optional
Fresh Lemon Juice: optional, just a quick squeeze for a bright finish.
Capers: optional, add a briny flavor but are entirely optional (not my favorite)
Pickled Red Onions: optional, one of my absolute favorites so much so we have a quick pickled recipe we make every week.
Equipment List
Grill Pan or Cast Iron Skillet: Our first choice for achieving great flavor. If you don't have a grill pan, a toaster will do in a pinch. Just wait until it's removed before buttering and salting.
Serrated Knife: For slicing your sourdough loaf.
Spreading Knife: For that creamy Alouette layer.
Cutting Board: For all your slicing and dicing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Start by slicing your sourdough into half-inch slices.
Step 2
Butter each piece, on both sides and set to the side.
Step 3
On a grill pan or skillet, over medium heat, place bread slices. Let each piece toast for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 4
Lightly season with kosher salt & fresh ground pepper.
Step 5
Once toasted and seasoned, spread the Alouette generously on top of the toast.
Step 6
Layer smoked salmon slices on top, garnish with fresh dill, and take a big bite!
If using, sprinkle capers, or pickled red onion slices now. Serve immediately as a simple toast or elevate it into a hors d'oeuvre.
Smoked Salmon
The star of our toast recipe. If you're cooking for just 1-2 people, you can find small packs in the seafood section of your local grocery store. Planning on hosting a brunch or event? Costco offers excellent quality at unbeatable prices, making it a go-to for larger gatherings. You can even change it up with different flavors of smoked salmon as well.
Fun Fact: Ever wondered why smoked salmon has such a unique and great flavor? It's all about the fatty acids and the smoking process. These fatty acids melt at lower temperatures, making each bite practically melt in your mouth.
Cold-smoked salmon is smoked at lower temperatures, keeping it silky and almost raw, with a more subtle smoky nuance. Hot-smoked salmon is cooked during the smoking process, offering a flakier texture and a robust, smoky flavor. Whether it's hot-smoked or cold-smoked, each brings its own unique flair to the table.
Why Sourdough?
Choosing the right bread is like picking the perfect wine—it can elevate your dish to new heights. Sourdough is our top pick for smoked salmon toast because its complex, tangy flavors beautifully complement the rich, smoky notes of the salmon.
Plus, pan-toasting your bread is a great way to achieve a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft. The butter adds an extra layer of richness, and who doesn't need more butter in their life?
Similar Substitutes
If sourdough isn't in your pantry, no worries! These options will also pair delightfully with your smoked salmon:
Bagel: Especially everything bagels, my personal favorite, for an extra burst of flavor.
Baguette: Ideal for bite-size pieces or transforming your toast into elegant hors d'oeuvres.
Ciabatta: Its airy texture and mild flavor make it easy for the Alouette to sneak into the nooks and crannies.
The Alouette
Alouette is super similar to cream cheese as they are both soft cheeses that can offer a creamy base for our salmon toast. Alouette has a slightly tangier profile, making it a delightful alternative to regular cream cheese. We prefer the Herb & Garlic version for this recipe as it's packed with flavor and requires no additional ingredients.
More Brunch Ideas
There you have it, folks! A smoked salmon toast recipe that's as simple as it is delicious. Whether you're looking for easy breakfast recipes or a quick snack, this dish is sure to become a favorite way to enjoy smoked salmon.
📖 Recipe
Smoked Salmon Toast
Equipment
- Serrated Knife
- Cast Iron Skillet or Toaster
- Spreading Knife
Ingredients
- 4 Slice Sourdough Bread - ½" thick
- 4 tablespoon Aloutte Cheese - or more
- 8 oz Smoked Salmon - roughly 2oz per piece
- 2 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
- Fresh Dill - optional
- Kosher Salt
- Fresh Ground Pepper
Instructions
- Start by slicing your sourdough into half-inch slices.
- Butter each piece, on both sides and set to the side.
- On a grill pan or skillet, over medium heat, place bread slices. Let each piece toast until golden brown.
- Lightly season with kosher salt & fresh ground pepper, and repeat on the other side.
- Once toasted, spread the Alouette generously on top of the toast.
- Layer smoked salmon slices on top and garnish with fresh dill.
- If using, sprinkle capers, or pickled red onion slices add them now.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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