Crostino with Marinated Salmon

I’ll guide you step by step in preparing a delicious crostino with marinated salmon, perfect for an aperitif or a sophisticated appetizer. Here are the ingredients and the procedure:

Ingredients

• 200 g of high-quality fresh salmon, thinly sliced
• 1 baguette or homemade bread, sliced
• 1 lemon (juice and grated zest)
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Pink peppercorns (or black pepper, if you prefer)
• Dill or chopped chives
• Salt

For the marinade:

• 30 ml of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of whole peppercorns
• 1 bay leaf
• The juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 teaspoon of coarse salt

Preparation

1. Start with marinating the salmon: mix extra virgin olive oil, slightly crushed whole peppercorns, the torn bay leaf, lemon juice, and coarse salt in a bowl.
2. Submerge the fresh salmon slices in the marinade and let them rest covered in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, turning them halfway through.
3. In the meantime, slice the bread and lightly toast it in the oven or on a grill until it becomes crispy.
4. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool down.
5. Once the salmon has marinated for the necessary time, remove it from the marinade and gently pat it dry with kitchen paper.
6. Assemble the crostino by placing a slice of toasted bread and laying one or two slices of marinated salmon on top.
7. Dress with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt, some crushed pink peppercorns, grated lemon zest, and chopped herbs (dill or chives).
8. Serve the crostini immediately to enjoy them at their best.

Curiosity

Marinated salmon is a dish that has its roots in Nordic countries, where fish is traditionally preserved with salt and sugar. In Italy, especially during the holidays, it is often paired with Mediterranean ingredients like lemon and extra virgin olive oil for a fresh and aromatic touch.

Enjoy your meal!