Puff Pastry Croissants with Salmon

Puff pastry croissants with salmon are a delicious appetizer or the perfect snack for drinks and buffets. They are simple to prepare and can be served either hot or cold. Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients

• 1 rectangular roll of puff pastry
• 100-150 g of smoked salmon
• 100 g of spreadable cheese (such as Philadelphia)
• Fresh or dried dill (to taste)
• 1 egg (for brushing)
• Poppy or sesame seeds (optional for decoration)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C (180 °C if fan assisted).
2. Unroll the puff pastry and cut it into long, narrow triangles.
3. Mix the spreadable cheese with a little chopped dill until you have a smooth cream.
4. Spread a bit of the cheese cream on each triangle of puff pastry.
5. Lay a strip of smoked salmon on each triangle.
6. Roll the triangles from the wider base to the tip, forming croissants.
7. Slightly bend the croissants to give them the classic crescent shape.
8. Beat the egg and brush it onto the croissants to give shine and color.
9. (Optional) Sprinkle the croissants with poppy or sesame seeds.
10. Place the croissants on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
11. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the croissants are golden and puffed.
12. Let them cool slightly before serving.

Curiosity

Smoked salmon is highly appreciated in Italy, even though it is not a traditionally Italian product. In Italian cuisine, it is often used as an ingredient in cold appetizers or to dress pasta, typically with the addition of cream or creamy cheese to create a delicious combination with the smoked fish flavor.

To make this recipe even more Italian, you might consider adding a touch of Italian herbs such as wild fennel or perhaps accompany the croissants with a mascarpone cream and a few drops of lemon. Enjoy your meal!