Salmon and Dill Savory Macarons

Salmon and dill savory macarons are an elegant and interesting variation of the classic sweet French macaron. Here is the recipe to prepare this delight:

Ingredients

For the macaron shells:

• 100 g of almond flour
• 100 g of powdered sugar
• 70 g of egg whites (about 2 small ones)
• 40 g of granulated sugar
• A pinch of salt
• Pastel green food coloring (optional)

For the filling:

• 150 g of smoked salmon
• 200 g of creamy cheese such as Philadelphia
• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh dill
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra dill for garnish

Preparation

1. Start by preparing the macaron shells: sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together. It is important that the mixture is very fine to obtain a smooth surface.
2. Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks with a pinch of salt, gradually adding the granulated sugar until shiny meringue forms and stiff peaks are achieved. If you wish, add a few drops of food coloring.
3. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the meringue, mixing with a spatula with movements from the bottom to the top, until the mixture becomes smooth and shiny, but still thick enough to not be too liquid.
4. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag with a smooth tip and form small circles on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each one.
5. Let the macarons rest for about 30 minutes, so that a crust forms on the surface.
6. Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F) and bake the macarons for about 12-15 minutes, or until they can be easily lifted off the paper.
7. While the macarons cool down, prepare the filling by mixing the cream cheese with the chopped dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
8. Cut the smoked salmon into strips or small pieces.
9. Once the shells are cool, spread a generous amount of cheese filling on half of the shells, add some pieces of salmon, a bit of chopped fresh dill and cover with another shell.
10. Let the macarons rest in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together well.

Savory macarons are a great choice for a refined appetizer or for an aperitif. If you wish, you can also vary the filling by replacing the dill with chives or adding a touch of wasabi for a spicier flavor.

Curiosity

Savory macarons are relatively new in the culinary world and allow for experimentation with a variety of flavors and textures that deviate from their more well-known sweet version. The contrast between the light crispness of the shells and the softness of the filling is particularly prized, especially when paired with bold flavors like smoked salmon.