Smoked Salmon Savory Muffins

Smoked Salmon Savory Muffins are an elegant and tasty idea for an appetizer or brunch. Here is the recipe, with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

• 150 g of all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 80 ml of extra virgin olive oil
• 100 ml of milk
• 100 g of smoked salmon
• 2 tablespoons of grated cheese (pecorino or parmesan)
• 1 packet of instant yeast for savory preparations
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• A bunch of fresh dill (or chives)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare a muffin tin by lining the individual molds with paper liners.
2. In a bowl, sift the flour with the yeast and add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. In another bowl, lightly beat the eggs with a whisk and then add the oil and milk, mixing well to blend.
4. Combine the liquid mixture with the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until you get a homogeneous mixture, but avoid overworking it.
5. Cut the smoked salmon into thin strips or cubes and finely chop the dill (or chives).
6. Add the salmon and dill to the batter and mix gently to distribute them evenly.
7. Fill the paper liners up to 2/3 of their capacity with the batter.
8. Sprinkle the surface of each muffin with the grated cheese.
9. Bake the muffins for about 20-25 minutes or until they are golden and well risen. You can do the toothpick test to check for doneness: insert it in the center of a muffin, if it comes out clean, they are ready.
10. Let the muffins cool before serving.

Curiosity

Although muffins are mainly known as a sweet Anglo-Saxon treat, in this savory version with salmon and dill, we have “Italianized” them by using extra virgin olive oil and grated cheese, typical ingredients of the Italian cuisine. Smoked salmon is a very versatile ingredient and in Italy is often paired with cold dishes, such as appetizers and salads, or hot ones, like pasta or risotto toppings.

You could pair these muffins with a light aperitif, perhaps a chilled Prosecco or, if you prefer cocktails, a Bellini that combines the sparkling wine’s effervescence with the sweetness of peach juice.