Smoked Salmon Spread

I've been on a Smoked Salmon kick recently. I have a Cameron's Stove-Top Smoker and smoked a couple fillets with Alder Chips for this recipe.  Don't have a smoker?  Did you know you can smoke fish using a Wok and some foil.  Genius! I was looking for an appetizer to bring to a party, but didn't want some typical cheese dip.  I loved it even more the next morning spread on a bagel for breakfast.  It's hard to beat with thinly sliced red onions and capers.

My favorite salmon to smoke at home is Scottish Salmon. You can order it online at Chef's Fresh Fish.

Ingredients: 

-12 ounces smoked salmon, roughly torn into pieces
-8 ounces light cream cheese
-3 Tbsp light sour cream
-2 Tbsp light mayo
-2 dashes Tabasco sauce
-2 cloves garlic
-1 bunch green onions, chopped
-1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
-juice from 1/2 lemon
-1 tsp horseradish
-1 Tbsp tomato paste

Serve with sliced English cucumber or crackers



If you're going to smoke your own salmon, do that first, following these instructions.  Make sure to use a lighter flavored wood chips such as alder or cherry.  Just squeeze a little lemon juice over the fillets and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  I smoked about 2-2.5 fillets.

Roughly tear the salmon into pieces and put the salmon in the food processor.  Chop the 1 bunch of green onions and add to the food processor as well.

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the salmon, add the block of softened cream cheese, 3 Tbsp light sour cream, 2 Tbsp light mayo, 2 dashes Tabasco sauce, 1 Tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp Worcestershire, 2 cloves chopped garlic, and 1 tsp horseradish sauce.

Blend in the food processor until well combined.

Spoon the spread into a small bowl and garnish with extra chopped green onions and a little squeeze of lemon juice.  I served the spread with sliced cucumbers, just make sure not to slice too thin or they will be wobbly for the spread.  Almond Thins is also a great match.  Enjoy the spread at room temperature and store any leftovers in the fridge to spread on a bagel for a fancy at-home breakfast!