To share for the aperitif or to serve as a starter, go all out with our dill cream cheese salmon crown. In addition to being incredibly easy and quick to prepare, it will melt everyone’s taste buds at the table! Here is the recipe, to share without moderation.
Salmon + cream cheese + dill = the best combo for indulgence
If there is one flavor combination that works every time, it is salmon and dill! With its slightly aniseed and very fresh notes, dill is an herb that elevates all fish, especially smoked salmon. Here, we embark on a sort of revamped babka with a pizza dough base and cream cheese seasoned with garlic and dill. A few sesame seeds and pink peppercorns for color and extra flavors, and there you have it! As beautiful as it is savory, this salmon crown will win over your guests.
It can be served in slices for the apéritif or as a starter with a side salad. Our tip: enjoy it while it’s still a bit warm for even more pleasure! And if you are very, very, very hungry, do not hesitate to add a little grated cheese (mozzarella, for instance) for a gooey and generous effect. To make this crown, nothing is particularly difficult. Follow the detailed steps below and watch the video to master twisting your savory babka.
List of ingredients for a dill salmon crown
– 1 rectangular pizza dough
Р200 g cream cheese (type St M̫ret or Philadelphia)
– 2 garlic cloves
– 1 bunch of fresh dill
– 8 slices smoked salmon
– 1/2 lemon
– 1 egg yolk
– 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
– 1 teaspoon pink peppercorns
Step-by-step of the savory salmon babka recipe
1. Finely chop the garlic and a portion of the dill. Mix with the cheese until a creamy texture is achieved.
2. Unroll the pizza dough and spread the cream cheese over the entire surface. Cover with the slices of smoked salmon and drizzle with lemon juice.
3. Roll the dough tightly to form a log. Cut the log in half lengthwise, then twist the two pieces so that the salmon remains visible.
4. Bring the two ends together to form a crown. Brush with the egg yolk and sprinkle with black sesame seeds and pink peppercorns.
5. Bake for about 25 minutes at 180°C, until nicely golden.
6. Upon removing from the oven, sprinkle the remaining dill over the top and taste immediately.
Dill salmon crown, a treat to share for a convivial moment
As soon as you set it on the table, your guests will be amazed! With its twisted effect and generous topping, the dill salmon crown is irresistible. For another presentation, you can cut slices from your log to make smaller bites (the cooking time will probably be shorter; adjust according to the size of your slices). To achieve neat little slices, we recommend placing the log in the freezer for about ten minutes. The cut will be much cleaner!
This savory crown can be made with pesto instead of the cream cheese or by substituting the smoked salmon with ham, for example. There are a thousand ways to treat yourself at aperitif time!
