Savory Bite Appetizer (Print)

Crisp baguette slices layered with herb-infused spread, smoked salmon, cucumber, and capers for a tasty starter.

# What You Need:

→ Base

01 - 1 baguette, sliced into 12 rounds

→ Cream Cheese Spread

02 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
04 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 1 tsp lemon zest
06 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Toppings

07 - 3.5 oz smoked salmon, cut into 12 pieces
08 - 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced into 12 rounds
09 - 1 tbsp capers, drained

→ Garnish

10 - Extra dill sprigs
11 - Lemon wedges (optional)

# How to Make:

01 - Combine cream cheese, chives, dill, lemon zest, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
02 - Lightly toast baguette slices until golden and crisp. Allow to cool.
03 - Evenly spread approximately 1 tablespoon of herbed cream cheese mixture onto each baguette slice.
04 - Place a cucumber slice and one piece of smoked salmon on each prepared baguette round.
05 - Top each with capers and a small dill sprig. Serve with optional lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together in just 20 minutes, which means you can make them while your guests arrive rather than spending all day in the kitchen
  • The herbed cream cheese base tastes like you've been planning this for weeks, but it's honestly just four ingredients mixed together
  • Everyone thinks they're fancy enough for a special occasion, but they're actually perfect for a quiet afternoon snack with good coffee
02 -
  • Toast your baguette slices all the way through. A soggy base will collapse under the toppings and ruin the whole experience. You need that crispy foundation to hold everything together.
  • Don't assemble these more than 30 minutes before serving. The cream cheese starts to soften, the bread begins to absorb moisture, and the whole bite loses its structural integrity. They're meant to be eaten while everything is still at its best.
03 -
  • If you can't find fresh dill, use fresh tarragon instead. It has a slightly different flavor but pairs beautifully with salmon and cream cheese. Fresh herbs are always better than dried for this recipe.
  • For a vegetarian version that's just as elegant, substitute the smoked salmon with roasted red peppers or a thin slice of heirloom tomato. The cucumber and capers still create that briny, textured experience.

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