Rainbow Smoked Salmon Salad in Puff Pastry

"Puff pastry shells spread with a tangy cream cheese dressing and topped with smoked salmon and rows of rainbow-colored veggies. They assemble easily, are colorful and are ideal as a salad course (or light luncheon entree). ... Pls see EDITED TO ADD AFTER RSC CONCLUDED note for an alternate salad option."
 
Download
photo by French Tart photo by French Tart
photo by French Tart
photo by French Tart photo by French Tart
Ready In:
55mins
Ingredients:
13
Yields:
4 Filled Salad Shells
Advertisement

ingredients

Advertisement

directions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll out cold pastry sheet. Cut 4 5x5 in squares. Using a dull kitchen knife, gently score cut squares 1/2 in inside all cut edges to create a 4x4 in inside square.
  • Dock the 4 in inside square of the pastry to prevent excessive puffing (This is done by piercing the dough at 1/2" intervals w/the tines of a fork).
  • Line the 4-in inside square w/foil or parchment paper & place dried beans or rice on it to stop the pastry base from rising excessively in the oven.
  • Gently transfer squares to baking sheet & bake 15-18 min or till golden brown. Remove from oven & set aside to cool.
  • While pastry is baking, cook carrot coins to desired doneness, prepare other ingredients & set aside.
  • Combine cream cheese, Dijon mustard, lemon juice & dried dill. Mix well & set aside.
  • To Assemble Salads: Gently remove any excess puffed pastry from the 4x4 in inside square so that surface is relatively flat. Spread each scored 4-in pastry area w/approx 1 1/2 tbsp of the cream cheese dressing.
  • Then assemble salads all at 1 time in rows using the following order & begin at the top as you face the pastry shells:

  • Row 1: Layer 4-inch row of sliced grape tomatoes -- Row 2: Place 2 cut-to-size asparagus spears -- Row 3: Layer 4-inch row of shaved smoked salmon slices -- Row 4: Layer 4-inch row of sliced egg halves -- Row 5: Layer 4-inch row of carrot coins.
  • Scatter thinly sliced white onion rings (or segments) over the top of all salads.
  • Garnish w/capers &/or dried parsley flakes as desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate till ready to serve.
  • NOTE: Edited to add after RSC concluded -- If you prefer to eliminate the use of puff pastry, these salads assemble easily on a salad plate of mixed greens -- not near as elegant, but just as pretty!

Questions & Replies

Got a question? Share it with the community!
Advertisement

Reviews

  1. Another hidden treasure from RSC#9....if only I had the chance to make more during the contest!! This was a 10 star recipe - what a BRILLIANT idea......a superb selection of ingredients and an unusual and exciting recipe! I had NO green asparagus - which would have made it look even more stunning than it did; and no cherry tomatoes - instead, I used white asparagus and "grappe" tomatoes - and nothing else was changed at all, oh I did use grated carrot instead of rounds. The concept was simple - the result was delicious. This recipe will be a regular guest at out table now and thanks so much for posting this - the colours were fantastic, the flavour sublime! FT:-)
     
Advertisement

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I am an American transplanted from Dallas to Iceland by marriage to a native Icelander & I retired to become his "Kitchen Queen". We love to entertain our family & friends, so I have an eclectic collection of recipes. I especially love simple, easy-fix, flexible & make-ahead recipes - BUT also like challenging myself on occasion. I enjoy baking & food photography. I am devoted to the "More is Always Better Principle" & apply it liberally to bacon, butter & garlic. I can have ingredient issues due to availability here in Iceland & my DH is medically diet-restricted from some ingredients as well. Either situation might require me to modify a recipe, but I will do my best to be true to your recipes & fair/honest in my reviews. Mary Pat (aka twissis)
 
View Full Profile
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Find More Recipes