July 24, 2008

Barefoot Bloggers- Ina's Smoked Salmon Spread

This week's Barefoot Bloggers dish was chosen by Ashley and I'll be the first to admit I wasn't too pumped about fish dip. However, one of the reasons I joined Barefoot Bloggers was to expand my repertoire. So I made it anyways and it was a success! I took it to a play-date and everyone enjoyed it (except me, since I thought it was a little fishy- but I only had canned salmon available and I'm sure that was the problem). However, before I added the fish I thought it was amazing, particularly the fresh dill. I also love the fact that there is no mayonnaise in this recipe (I have a psychotic aversion to mayonnaise that I can't break, just ask my husband).

I will try making this again with some better salmon and I bet even I'll like it then. Because, let's be honest- Cream Cheese (I even used the good, full fat stuff), Sour Cream, and Fresh herbs- "How bad can that be?" What can I say, I love Ina! I have complete confidence in her and I'll make it again. Thanks, Ashley, for the great choice, and for helping me stretch my boundaries! (Please pardon my picture, my camera was in the shop being cleaned and sorely missed!)

I'd also like to thank Pamela for this nice award! I'd like to pass it on to a few blogs you should check out:
Whisk: A Food Blog
Taste Buds
Brown Interior

Smoked Salmon Spread
From Barefoot Contessa Family Style by Ina Garten

8 Ounces Cream Cheese, at room temperature
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1 Tablespoon Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
1 Tablespoon Minced Fresh Dill
1 teaspoon Prepared Horseradish, drained
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1/4 Pound (4 ounces) Smoked Salmon, Minced

Cream the cheese in an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until just smooth. Add the sour cream, lemon juice, dill, horseradish, salt, and pepper, and mix. Add the smoked salmon and mix well. Chill and serve with crudites or crackers.

If you can find it, I prefer Norwegian salmon; it's drier and less salty than other smoked salmon.

11 comments:

  1. Looks delicious...good idea to bring it to a playdate!

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  2. Great job! I thought about trying this, and thought about it again, and then just couldn't make myself do it. It does look good though and how nice of you to share!

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  3. Kind of you to make a fishy dish that you didn't eat. I left out the fish very selfishly. What really has my heart beating is the chicken with 40 cloves. That's one of my favorite dishes. I wish it had 70 cloves of garlic.:)

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  4. The dip looks and sounds great! I actually love fish and can eat it out of the can plain.. might sound gross to some. I love how there is no mayonnaise in the dip either. Unlike the rest of my family, I can't eat anything with mayo, especially miracle whip. I think it has something to do with how it looks when scooped out of the container that turns me away.

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  5. You're right, cream cheese and sour cream and dill would be delicious together!! I like your idea of using fresh salmon too.

    Thanks so much for the award!! I'm so honored.
    Shari@Whisk: a food blog

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  6. Your dip looks great! I am sad that I wasn't able to get all my ingredients to try it for this week, but I will hopefully pull it together for the weekend.

    My husband and I love smoked salmon so I can't wait to try it!!

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  7. I did the same thing, I made it and pushed it off on others! What's funny is: I have a thing for mayo too! I can't eat a sandwich if I can see the mayonnaise. Oh, I just got the shivers thinking about it! I can mix mayo in with other things though- just not with a heavy spoonful.
    ~The Cat's Pajamas

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  8. I love fish...but didn't think I would like it as a dip...I thought it was pretty good. Yours looks great!

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  9. I love Ina too! Glad you are going to try it again with different salmon. I'm going to do the same (and use the full fat stuff too!) this time.

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  10. I loved the dip without the salmon too. Very tasty! But I really enjoyed it with too! I hope you get to try it with different salmon!

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  11. Looks great - and you are right to try it again with smoked salmon. You will be amazed by the beautiful flavour.

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