These little bites are based off a tea sandwich that I made a few years ago. I love them because they look impressive, but are not very difficult to make. The only thing you have to be careful of is to not overcook the asparagus, or it will lose its fresh green flavour.
If you want to make these for a party, you can do some of the prep work ahead of time. I actually had to prep everything in advance and then assemble these at the last-minute, because I didn’t think the would last long under my photography lamps. You can blanch the asparagus, zest the lemon, cut the smoked salmon into bite-sized pieces and mix the cream cheese spread. Keep everything in the fridge until you’re ready, and then assemble everything on the serving dish that you’re going to use. These little guys don’t like to be moved around too much, so moving them from plate to plate isn’t a great idea.
Spring Bites with Smoked Salmon and Asparagus
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
These elegant spring bites with smoked salmon and asparagus are perfect for brunch or a spring party, featuring a creamy caper-dill spread and a burst of lemon freshness.
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup finely chopped capers
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill
- 10 spears of fresh asparagus, ends trimmed
- 1 large package of smoked salmon, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Lemon zest, for garnish
- Crackers or small toast slices, for serving
Instructions
- Fill a large saucepan with water, add 1 tsp of salt, and place over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the cream cheese, capers, lemon juice and dill. Set aside for later.
- Add ice to a large bowl of cold water, and place it next to your stove. You will need this to blanch the
- asparagus.
- Add the asparagus to the boiling water. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until bright green and tender.
- Use tongs to take the asparagus out of the boiling water and into the bowl of ice water. The asparagus will take about a minute to cool down, and then you can drain them. Once they are cool enough to handle, cut each spear into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Find the serving tray or dish that you want to use, you will be assembling the canapés directly onto this
- dish.
- Set out the toasts, and spread some of the cream cheese mixture on each one. Next, wrap a piece of smoked salmon around each piece of asparagus. I just ripped the smoked salmon with my fingers, it doesn’t have to be neat.
- Place each salmon/asparagus bundle on top of the toasts, and top with the lemon zest and black pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
To prevent overcooking, blanch the asparagus for only 2-3 minutes. Prepare the components ahead of time and assemble just before serving to maintain freshness. These bites are delicate, so avoid moving them too much once assembled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 grams
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 grams
- Carbohydrates: 5 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 8 grams
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
The recipe for Spring Bites with Smoked Salmon appeared first on In Search Of Yummy-ness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I avoid overcooking the asparagus?
To prevent overcooking the asparagus, blanch it briefly in boiling water and then immediately transfer it to an ice bath to stop the cooking process, ensuring it retains its fresh green flavor.
What can I prepare in advance for the Spring Bites?
You can prepare the asparagus by blanching it, zest the lemon, cut the smoked salmon into bite-sized pieces, and mix the cream cheese spread ahead of time, storing them in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble.
Why should I avoid moving the assembled Spring Bites once they’re plated?
The assembled Spring Bites should not be moved around too much because they can fall apart easily, which may affect their presentation and make them less appealing.
