Quick Smoked Salmon Tart
Reminiscent of a classic bagel with lox, this quick and convenient tart is made with buttery, flaky store-bought puff pastry for a no-rolling-necessary appetizer or light yet satisfying meal. A schmear of sour cream is added after the pastry is baked, followed by smoked salmon and toppings boasting of nothing but freshness: crisp cucumbers, pickled onion, briny capers and fragrant dill. Altogether, this smoky, creamy tart is a surefire hit for any gathering.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- ½cup thinly sliced red onion (about 1/2 small onion)
- Salt
- 3tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1frozen puff pastry sheet (9 to 14 ounces; brands vary), thawed
- 1cup sour cream or crème fraîche
- 4to 6 ounces sliced smoked salmon
- 1to 2 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1tablespoon capers, drained
- Fresh dill or parsley or both, for serving
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Step 1
Heat the oven to 425 degrees. In a small bowI, toss onion with a pinch of salt, then add vinegar and toss again. Set aside, tossing occasionally, until ready to serve.Step 2
Line a sheet pan with parchment and lay the pastry on top. With a fork, vigorously poke the pastry, deeply, from edge to edge. This will help it to remain flaky but not puffy (eliminating the potential for air pockets), so the toppings may be easily layered on later.Step 3
Place the sheet pan on the middle rack and bake the pastry until golden and flaky, 17 to 20 minutes. (It will rise slightly, but should deflate. If it doesn’t, gently poke a hole and press down lightly on any air pockets). Let cool completely.Step 4
When pastry is cool, spread sour cream over the surface like sauce on a pizza. Top with the salmon, cucumber, capers, dill and drained pickled onion. Spritz with lemon and season with pepper. Cut into squares to serve.