Smoked Salmon On Potato Rosti With Dill Creme Fraiche And Watercress Recipes

SWISS ROSTI WITH SMOKED SALMON AND POACHED EGG

Steps:

• Using the large holes of a box grater, shred the parboiled potatoes onto a baking sheet. (Try not to mash them.) Season with salt and pepper.
• Place a 9-inch cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons butter. When butter is hot, use a spatula to transfer all the grated potatoes to the skillet. Let the potatoes begin to brown, then turn heat to medium. Press down lightly with spatula to form a thick cake. Let cake fry gently until bottom is golden brown and crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes. Shake the pan to be sure the cake isn't sticking; loosen with a spatula if necessary.
• Lay a plate over the uncooked side of the cake and carefully invert the cake onto the plate, crisp-side up. Return the skillet to the stove, add a little more butter to the pan as necessary and slip the cake back in, uncooked-side down.
• Fry gently for another 10 to 15 minutes, until crisp on the second side. Remove from heat and slide the cake (or invert) onto a plate or cutting board. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
• Poach the eggs: Fill a wide skillet halfway with water. Add a good pinch of salt and bring to a gentle simmer. Break each egg into a teacup, then carefully slip it beneath the water's surface. Cook for 2 minutes, until eggs are barely set, then turn off heat. (Leave eggs in hot water to finish cooking as you prepare the plates.)
• Cut the rösti into wedges and divide among plates. Drape a slice of smoked salmon next to each wedge. Remove eggs one by one with a slotted spoon (holding a towel beneath spoon to catch excess water), and place on the other side of each wedge.
• Top each wedge with a dollop of crème fraîche. Garnish with a sprinkle of chives and a sprig of watercress.

SMOKED SALMON ON POTATO PANCAKES WITH DILL CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, add the flour, potatoes, eggs, and shallots. Pulse until everything is blended but the consistency of the batter is chunky. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add a thin layer of oil. Pour about 1 tablespoon of the batter into the skillet for each pancake. Cook until lightly browned on both sides. Remove the pancakes from the pan to serving platters and allow them to cool to room temperature.
• To serve, top each pancake with a small slice of smoked salmon, then about a teaspoon of Dill Creme Fraiche, then top with 1/2 teaspoon of salmon roe in the center. Garnish with chopped fresh dill and serve.
• Dill Creme Fraiche:
• Stir all ingredients together in a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Yield: 1 cup

POTATO ROSTI WITH A SMOKED SALMON ROSE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Line up 3 strips of salmon, making sure they overlap at least 1/2-inch at the ends. Starting from one end, roll the salmon into a pinwheel and set aside. Line another 3 pieces up the same way. Take the first pinwheel, and starting from one end of the salmon strip, roll it up again. Repeat this step 2 more times, then put the salmon flower on the prepared baking sheet. With the remaining salmon, gently form more petals by wrapping them around the perimeter of the salmon flower on the baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• Peel the potatoes and grate them on the largest holes of a box grater. Put into a colander and rinse well with cold water until the water runs clear and the starch is gone. Squeeze the potatoes dry a handful at a time, and transfer to a medium bowl.
• Heat half the ghee in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the potatoes, and using a spatula, press them firmly into the pan so that they are evenly spread out. Cook undisturbed until dark golden, about 10 minutes. Cover with a lid that is larger than the skillet and carefully invert the skillet so that the potato pancake sits on the lid, golden-side up. Add the remaining ghee to the skillet and heat until shimmering. Slide the potato pancake, golden-side up, back into the skillet and continue to cook until golden and cooked through, another 10 minutes.
• Slide the potato pancake onto a serving plate and sprinkle with the chives. Using a spatula, transfer the salmon flower to the middle of the potato pancake and serve with the creme fraiche, lemon wedges, capers and onions on the side.

SMOKED SALMON ON CUCUMBER WITH CREME FRAICHE AND DILL

Steps:

• Using a mandoline (or better knife skills than I have), slice the cucumber into sturdy, even slices and arrange on a service plate.
• Top each with an equal tidbit of salmon. Hint: it folds into pretty shapes if cut with the grain of the fish.
• Stir the creme fraiche until smooth and dab a mere teaspoonful over salmon.
• Separate tiny branches of the baby dill and set upright in or atop cream fraiche. Use remaining branches to garnish plate.
• Put the pepper in one palm and scatter by pinches from about a foot above the platter.