SMOKED SALMON CAVIAR RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. For the blinis, place the flour and a pinch of sea salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre, crack in the egg and add 1 tablespoon of oil, then beat into the flour. Gradually whisk in the milk until you’ve got a lovely, smooth batter. 2. Put a large non-stick frying pan on a medium heat and add 1 small knob of butter. 3. Once hot and the butter’s melted, add tablespoons of batter to the pan to make your blinis. Cook for 1 minute on each side, flipping over when they turn golden on the bottom and get little bubbles on top. 4. The first batch always helps you figure out your temperature control, so adjust it up or down if needed. 5. Transfer the cooked blinis to a plate, and continue with the remaining batter until it’s all used up. Top with your favourite combos, season to perfection and enjoy. TEAM WAVES OF QUALITY SMOKED SALMON WITH . . . * Cucumber speed-peeled into ribbons, placed proudly on top of a little cream cheese with a fine grating of lemon zest. Š* Peeled and finely shaved raw baby beets, a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of fresh tarragon. Š* Vac-packed beets blitzed with cream cheese until smooth, topped with a fine grating of fresh horseradish root. Š* Cream cheese loosened with a little lemon juice, and a sprinkling of salmon caviar to add an extra pop of flavour. Š* A dollop of soured cream and a sprinkling of chopped fresh chives and finely sliced tender asparagus. Š* Puréed avocado and a little jarred jalapeño, a dollop of soured cream and a few freshly picked coriander leaves.

Steps:

• GET AHEAD 1. Finely chop the prawns and smoked salmon and place in a bowl with the crabmeat, cream cheese and caviar. Finely grate in the zest from quarter of a lemon and squeeze in the juice from 1 lemon. Add a good pinch of black pepper and mix together well. Spoon into an appropriately sized dish and smooth out nice and evenly – I use a palette or butter knife dipped in hot water to make this process easier. Cover and pop into the fridge until needed. 2. To prep your garnishes, peel the red onion and chop as finely as you can. Deseed and finely slice the chilli. Click the outer stalks off the celery and save for another day. Cut the inner part in half and finely slice it, leaves and all. Pick and roughly chop the dill. Cut the lemons into wedges. Cover and pop it all in the fridge. ON THE DAY 1. Slice and toast the bread. 2. Before serving, use a regular eating knife to lightly score a criss-cross pattern into the top of the pâté, then drizzle with a little oil and sprinkle from a height with a pinch of cayenne. Either take everything to the table and let people tuck in and help themselves, or take a bit of pride in delicately plating everything up, giving each lucky guest a beautiful quenelle of pâté surrounded by all the garnishes.