Savory Smoked Salmon Crostini on Irish Soda Bread
This delightful appetizer is a creative twist on traditional Irish fare, perfect for celebrating St. Patrick's Day or any festive gathering. The combination of crumbly, lightly sweetened Irish soda bread, enriched with a burst of flavor from tangy raisins and aromatic caraway seeds, serves as the ideal base for a luxurious topping of creamy chive butter and silky smoked salmon. Each bite offers a burst of flavor that pairs beautifully with your choice of a refreshing black and tan or a crisp white wine. Impress your guests and elevate your holiday festivities with this unexpected yet utterly delicious appetizer, which harmonizes perfectly with a classic corned beef and cabbage main course. Your guests will be singing your praises and smiling from ear to ear!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
oatmeal
1/2 cup (finely ground)
all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (none)
sugar
1/4 cup (none)
baking soda
3/4 teaspoon (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
raisins
1 cup (none)
caraway seed
1 tablespoon (none)
buttermilk
3/4 cup (none)
butter
1/2 cup (softened (1 stick))
chives
1 tablespoon (chopped)
smoked salmon
8 ounces (sliced)
fresh dill
for garnish (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a food processor, pulse the oatmeal until it reaches a fine flour-like consistency.
3
In a large bowl, combine the ground oatmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, raisins, and caraway seeds. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
4
Gently pour in the buttermilk and mix until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix the dough.
5
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and shape it into a 6-inch round. Place the round dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6
Bake in the upper half of the oven for 30-40 minutes until the bread is lightly browned and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Allow it to cool on a wire rack.
7
While the bread cools, prepare the chive butter by mixing the softened butter and chopped chives together in a bowl until fully combined.
8
Once cooled, slice the soda bread into thin slices. Toast each slice either in a toaster or on a baking sheet under a broiler, flipping once until golden and crisp on both sides.
9
Spread a generous amount of chive butter on each toasted slice, then top with a piece of smoked salmon. Cut each slice into halves or thirds, depending on your preference.
10
Garnish each piece with a sprig of fresh dill before serving. Enjoy this savory delight with your favorite drink!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Smoked Salmon Crostini on Irish Soda Bread?
This appetizer is a creative twist on traditional Irish fare, featuring a base of crumbly Irish soda bread topped with creamy chive butter and silky smoked salmon.
What ingredients are used to make the Irish soda bread base?
The bread is made using finely ground oatmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, raisins, caraway seeds, and buttermilk.
How should the oatmeal be prepared for this recipe?
The oatmeal should be pulsed in a food processor until it reaches a fine flour-like consistency before being added to the dry ingredients.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking the soda bread?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.
How do I mix the soda bread dough?
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then gently pour in the buttermilk and mix until just combined, taking care not to over-mix.
What shape should the dough be before baking?
The dough should be shaped into a 6-inch round on a floured surface.
How should the baking sheet be prepared?
The baking sheet should be lined with parchment paper to prevent the bread from sticking.
Where should the bread be placed in the oven?
Place the baking sheet in the upper half of the oven for even browning.
How long does the Irish soda bread take to bake?
The bread typically takes 30 to 40 minutes to bake until it is lightly browned.
How can I tell if the Irish soda bread is fully cooked?
The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
What is the next step after the bread is baked?
Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and toasting.
How do I make the chive butter?
Mix 1/2 cup of softened butter with one tablespoon of chopped chives in a bowl until fully combined.
Does the butter need to be a specific temperature?
Yes, the butter should be softened (one stick) to ensure it mixes well with the chives.
How should the soda bread be prepared for the crostini assembly?
Once cooled, slice the bread into thin slices and toast them in a toaster or under a broiler until golden and crisp.
What kind of salmon is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of sliced smoked salmon.
How do I assemble each crostini?
Spread a generous amount of chive butter on each toasted slice of bread, then top with a piece of smoked salmon.
Can I cut the crostini into smaller pieces?
Yes, depending on your preference, you can cut each prepared slice into halves or thirds.
What garnish is recommended for the smoked salmon crostini?
Garnish each piece with a sprig of fresh dill before serving.
What drinks pair well with this appetizer?
It pairs beautifully with a refreshing black and tan or a crisp white wine.
Is this recipe suitable for St. Patrick's Day?
Yes, it is specifically described as a perfect appetizer for celebrating St. Patrick's Day.
What main course does this appetizer complement?
This dish harmonizes perfectly with a classic corned beef and cabbage main course.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total, including the garnish.
Why are caraway seeds used in the bread?
Caraway seeds provide an aromatic flavor that is traditional in Irish soda bread.
Can the bread be toasted under a broiler?
Yes, you can toast the slices on a baking sheet under a broiler, flipping once to ensure both sides are crisp.
What is the purpose of the raisins in the soda bread?
The raisins provide a light sweetness and a burst of flavor that balances the savory salmon.
Is any salt added to the bread dough?
Yes, the recipe requires one teaspoon of salt.
Does the recipe use baking powder?
No, the recipe uses 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda as the leavening agent.
How much buttermilk is needed?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of buttermilk.
What type of flour is used?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour in addition to the ground oatmeal.
What makes this a creative twist on Irish fare?
It reimagines traditional soda bread by turning it into a toasted crostini base for high-end toppings like smoked salmon and chive butter.