An Edible Salmon Tree for the Holidays!

Be careful making this appetizer. A, it’s a beautiful presentation. B, it tastes delicious. And C, it’s fun to eat!

You’re totally going to be requested (demanded?) to make this every year!

The good news is that, as good as this looks, it’s super simple to prepare. To show you what it’s all about, below is a video of the steps for throwing it together.

You’ll Need:

• Puff Pastry: 2 sheets (thawed if frozen)
• Smoked Salmon: ~250g, but more for nibbling never hurt anyone 
• Cream Cheese: ~100g, depending on how thickly it is spread 
• Dill: Optional if you like dill, 1 tsp (fresh or dried)
• Capers, a sprinkle to taste
• Sprinkle of  chopped red onions
• Egg: 1 (for egg wash)
• A splash of milk to thin the egg

What You’ll Do

Shape the Tree:

• Unroll the first sheet of puff pastry on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
• Using a knife, cut the pastry into a triangular shape resembling a tree.

Create the inner layer:

• Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese on the bottom layer of puff pastry
• Place the smoked salmon in a single layer over the cream cheese
• sprinkle over the red onion and also dill (if using) and the capers.

Layer the Pastry:

• Lay out the second sheet of puff pastry and place it over the filled triangle.
• Press down gently around the edges to seal. Cut out the tree shape, and remove excess pastry.

Create Branches:

• Make horizonal cuts starting from the width of the “trunk” you made at the bottom, and extending to the left and right.
• Make these horizontal cuts evenly spaced from the top of the tree down toward the trunk, ~2 inches apart.

Egg Wash:

• Beat the egg with milk and brush it over the surface of the pastry. This will give it a golden color when baked.
• sprinkle sesame seeds over the tree

Bake:

• Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
• Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up. Check halfway through to ensure it doesn’t brown too quickly.

Serve:

• Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This dish can be served warm or at room temperature