Salmon Picnic Platter Recipes

SALMON PICNIC PLATTER

Steps:

• Hard boil the eggs by cooking them in boiling water for 8 mins, then cool quickly under cold running water and peel. Halve the eggs and pop the yolks into a bowl. Mash the yolks with the mayonnaise, cayenne pepper and some seasoning. Spoon or pipe the mixture back into the egg halves and chill until you need them.
• Flake the cooked salmon into large chunks and put it on a platter with the hot-smoked salmon and the eggs.
• Spread the bottom half of the rolls with cream cheese, then add the smoked salmon and a squeeze of lemon juice and top with the other half of the roll. Cut each one in half.
• Peel and slice the cucumber. Mix the yogurt with the dill, lemon zest and some seasoning, then stir in the cucumber. Pile the mixture into the centre of the platter. Serve with extra bread, rolls or wraps and lemon wedges.

ROASTED SALMON NICOISE PLATTER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• For the marinade, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, mustard, garlic, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt and 1/2 tablespoon pepper in a small bowl and set aside.
• Place the salmon on a sheet pan that has been covered in aluminum foil, and drizzle the marinade over the salmon. Allow the salmon to sit for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the potatoes and 2 tablespoons salt in a large pot of water. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the potatoes are barely tender when pierced with a knife. Drain the potatoes in a colander, then place the colander with the potatoes over the empty pot off the heat and cover with a clean, dry kitchen towel. Leave the potatoes to steam for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender but firm. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them in thick slices and set aside.
• Place the salmon in the oven and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until it is almost cooked through. Remove to a plate and allow it to rest for 15 minutes. Remove the skin and break into large pieces.
• Blanch the haricots verts in a large pot of boiling salted water for 1 1/2 minutes only. Drain immediately and immerse in a bowl of ice water. Drain again and set aside.
• For the vinaigrette, combine the vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Set aside.
• Arrange the salmon, potatoes, haricots verts, tomatoes, eggs, watercress, olives and anchovies, if used, on a large flat platter. Drizzle some vinaigrette over the fish and vegetables and serve the rest in a pitcher on the side.

PLANKED SALMON PLATTER

Steps:

• Soak cedar plank in water 1 to 2 hours.
• Heat gas or charcoal grill for indirect-heat cooking as directed by manufacturer. Place salmon, skin side down, on plank. In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, mustard and lemon peel. Brush generously over salmon.
• Place plank with salmon on grill for indirect cooking. Cover grill; cook over medium heat 25 to 30 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with fork.
• Remove salmon from plank to platter, using large spatula, or leave salmon on plank and place on large wood cutting board or platter.
• In small bowl, mix sour cream and dill weed. Place remaining accompaniments except bread in individual small bowls. Place sour cream mixture and remaining accompaniments around salmon. Serve salmon and accompaniments with bread.

SMOKED SALMON PLATTER

Steps:

• Boil the eggs. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil over medium-high heat (make sure the saucepan can hold all the eggs in one single layer). Using a spoon, very gently lower the eggs in the boiling water large. Cook for exactly 6½ minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle boil. When the eggs are ready, transfer them to a large bowl of iced water and let them sit for about 2 minutes. Peel the eggs and cut them in halves and season with kosher salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper (which is milder and has a slightly sweeter finish).
• To assemble the salmon platter, place a small bowl of cream cheese or labneh in one third of the the platter. Place the feta cheese in another corner of the platter. Arrange the salmon, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, radish, onions, olives, artichoke hearts and lemon wedges around the cheese. Sprinkle a little more red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper.
• Serve with your favorite crackers, crostini, bagels, pita wedges or even pita chips!

SALMON PLATTER WITH CAPER DRESSING

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices, then transfer to a 2-quart saucepan and cover with water by 1 inch. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until potatoes are tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain, then transfer to a bowl.
• Meanwhile, whisk together lemon juice, chopped capers, mustard, sugar, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt until sugar and salt are dissolved, then whisk in oil until emulsified.
• Toss potatoes gently with 1/4 cup dressing. Toss onion with 1/4 cup dressing in another bowl and let stand 5 minutes.
• Peel and pit avocado, then cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
• Arrange potatoes, avocado, cucumber, onion, salmon, and bread on a large platter and sprinkle with whole capers. Drizzle with some dressing and serve remainder on the side.