If you’re craving an appetizer that feels effortlessly elegant yet incredibly fresh, this Carpaccio Di Salmone Recipe is exactly what your kitchen needs. This dish brings together the silky texture of thinly sliced smoked salmon with bright lemon, aromatic herbs, and a drizzle of rich olive oil, resulting in a symphony of flavors and colors that dance on your palate. Whether you’re hosting a special dinner or just treating yourself to something exquisite, this recipe is as simple to prepare as it is impressive to serve.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Carpaccio Di Salmone Recipe is chosen with care to enhance freshness, texture, and vibrant color. The beauty here is in the simplicity: each element plays a vital role in creating that perfect balance.
- 500g (1 lb) smoked salmon, thinly sliced: The star of the dish with its delicate, silky texture and smoky depth.
- Juice of 1/2 small lemon, freshly squeezed: Brings essential brightness and a touch of acidity that wakes up the flavors.
- A few leaves fresh parsley, finely minced: Adds a burst of fresh herbal notes and vibrant green color.
- 1 dl (1 cup) extra virgin olive oil, high quality: Provides richness and smooth mouthfeel, binding the dressing beautifully.
- Salt, to taste: Enhances the natural flavors without overpowering the delicate salmon.
- Pepper, freshly cracked, to taste: Gives a gentle spicy kick that lingers just right.
- Capers, rinsed: Offer bursts of tangy, briny flavor with a pleasant pop.
- Shavings of fresh fennel: Lightly crunchy with a sweet, anise-like aroma to complement the fish.
- Thinly sliced red onion: Adds a mild sharpness and subtle crunch.
- Arugula: Peppery and fresh, perfect to scatter as a bed or garnish.
- Avocado wedges: Creamy texture that harmonizes with the salmon’s softness.
- Pomegranate seeds: Little bursts of sweetness and jewel-like color that wow the eye and taste buds.
How to Make Carpaccio Di Salmone Recipe
Step 1: Arrange the Salmon
Start by neatly placing the thin slices of smoked salmon on a large plate or platter, allowing them to overlap just slightly. This layering creates a beautiful, inviting presentation and ensures each bite has that delicate balance of texture and flavor. Placing the salmon over a bed of fresh arugula or other greens not only adds a visual contrast but also introduces a peppery note that pairs wonderfully with the fish.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed lemon juice, finely minced parsley, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Slowly drizzle in your high-quality extra virgin olive oil while continuing to whisk vigorously. This gradual mixing helps emulsify the ingredients, turning them into a smooth, glossy dressing that will lightly coat each salmon slice with bursts of flavor and aroma.
Step 3: Dress the Salmon
Gently drizzle the luscious dressing over your beautifully arranged salmon slices. This finishing touch is essential—it adds moisture, shines up the salmon, and infuses every bite with that refreshing lemon-herb taste. Take care to distribute the dressing evenly so no slice is left untouched.
Step 4: Let the Flavors Marry
Allow your carpaccio to rest at room temperature for about five minutes before serving. This short wait lets the flavors mingle and intensify, ensuring each forkful captures that perfect harmony between smoky, fresh, tangy, and herbal notes that make this Carpaccio Di Salmone Recipe so irresistible.
Step 5: Add Delicious Garnishes
This is where you get creative, adding texture, flavor contrasts, and visual pizzazz. Scatter rinsed capers over the top for a briny pop, place avocado wedges for a creamy counterpoint, sprinkle thin shavings of fennel to add subtle crunch and sweetness, and toss in thin rings of red onion to bring mild sharpness. Finish with extra arugula leaves and a scattering of pomegranate seeds that bring both sparkle and a sweet-tart surprise with every bite.
Step 6: Complement with Crispy Accompaniments
No Carpaccio Di Salmone Recipe is complete without something crunchy to add that satisfying contrast. Serve it alongside crusty bread or delicate rice crackers, which not only provide textural balance but also make it easy for everyone to scoop up the salmon and all those delicious garnishes.
How to Serve Carpaccio Di Salmone Recipe
Garnishes
Choosing the right garnishes transforms this elegant dish into a true feast for the senses. Fresh herbs like parsley or dill brighten it, while capers and pomegranate seeds create exciting bursts of tangy and sweet flavors. Meanwhile, the crunchy fennel and onion add depth, keeping each bite dynamic and interesting.
Side Dishes
The best side dishes for Carpaccio Di Salmone Recipe are light and fresh to maintain the dish’s sophisticated feel. A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or a tangy cucumber salad works beautifully, balancing out the richness of the salmon and olive oil. Simple crunchy breads or artisan crackers complete the experience perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation can elevate this dish to party-star status. Try layering the salmon on individual appetizer plates atop a bed of arugula, or serve on a large wooden board surrounded by colorful wedges of avocado, bright pomegranate seeds, and neat piles of capers and onions. Playing with a variety of colors and textures not only looks stunning but invites everyone to dig in enthusiastically.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (though they rarely last long!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because this dish is delicate and best fresh, try to eat within 24 hours to maintain the quality of the smoked salmon and the crispness of the garnishes.
Freezing
Freezing Carpaccio Di Salmone Recipe is not recommended since smoked salmon’s texture and flavor degrades when frozen and thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or stored refrigerated for a short time.
Reheating
This dish is best served cold or at room temperature. Reheating is not advised as the delicate flavors and textures of the smoked salmon and fresh ingredients can quickly be compromised by heat.
FAQs
Can I use fresh salmon instead of smoked salmon for this recipe?
Traditionally, Carpaccio Di Salmone Recipe uses smoked salmon because of its rich flavor and silky texture. However, if you want to use fresh salmon, make sure it’s sushi-grade and thinly sliced. You might want to lightly cure or marinate it to enhance flavor and improve texture.
What type of olive oil works best for this recipe?
Extra virgin olive oil with a fruity, mild flavor works best as it complements rather than overpowers the smoked salmon. A good quality, cold-pressed oil will give you the best results in both taste and aroma.
How should I slice the salmon for carpaccio?
The salmon should be very thinly sliced—almost translucent—to create that delicate texture that melts in your mouth. If not pre-sliced, chill the salmon, then use a sharp knife to cut thin, even slices.
Is this dish suitable for entertaining guests?
Absolutely! Carpaccio Di Salmone Recipe is elegant, visually stunning, and surprisingly easy to prepare, making it a fantastic choice for entertaining. The fresh flavors and beautiful presentation will impress any crowd.
Can I add other herbs or spices?
Yes, feel free to experiment with other fresh herbs like dill or chives to tweak the flavor. Just be sure to keep the additions subtle so the delicate taste of the salmon remains the star.
Final Thoughts
Making this Carpaccio Di Salmone Recipe is like treating yourself and your loved ones to a restaurant-quality delight, right from your own kitchen. It’s fresh, simple, and elegantly flavorful—a perfect way to start any meal or enjoy a light, satisfying bite any time. I can’t wait for you to try it and discover just how irresistibly delicious homemade carpaccio can be!
Print
Carpaccio Di Salmone Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
Carpaccio Di Salmone is an elegant Italian appetizer featuring thinly sliced smoked salmon dressed with a zesty lemon and parsley vinaigrette. Enhanced with fresh garnishes like capers, fennel shavings, red onion, arugula, avocado wedges, and pomegranate seeds, this dish offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Perfectly simple to prepare and served chilled, it’s ideal for a sophisticated starter or light meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 500g (1 lb) smoked salmon, thinly sliced
- Juice of 1/2 small lemon, freshly squeezed
- A few leaves fresh parsley, finely minced
- 1 dl (1 cup) olive oil, high quality extra virgin
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste, freshly cracked
Garnishes
- Capers, rinsed
- Shavings of fresh fennel
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Arugula
- Avocado wedges
- Pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Arrange Salmon: Neatly place the thin slices of smoked salmon on a serving plate, overlapping slightly to create an attractive presentation. Optionally, place the salmon over a bed of fresh arugula to add a vibrant green contrast and enhance the dish’s visual appeal.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced parsley, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Gradually whisk in the high-quality extra virgin olive oil until the mixture emulsifies into a smooth, cohesive dressing that coats the back of a spoon.
- Dress the Salmon: Gently drizzle the prepared lemon-parsley dressing evenly over the arranged salmon slices, ensuring a glistening finish that adds both flavor and aroma to the dish.
- Flavor Integration: Allow the dressed salmon to rest at room temperature for about 5 minutes. This resting period enables the flavors to meld and develop harmoniously before serving.
- Add Garnishes: Top the salmon with the rinsed capers, fresh fennel shavings, thinly sliced red onion, avocado wedges, and pomegranate seeds. These elements add a mix of textures, color, and complementary flavors, elevating the overall experience.
- Serve: Accompany your Carpaccio di Salmone with slices of crusty bread or rice crackers, providing a pleasant textural contrast and making the dish more satisfying.
Notes
- This dish is best served fresh and should be consumed shortly after preparation for optimal flavor and texture.
- Use high-quality smoked salmon for the best taste and presentation.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of lemon juice and olive oil in the dressing according to your taste preference.
- For a gluten-free option, serve with rice crackers instead of bread.
- The addition of pomegranate seeds adds a lovely pop of color and a burst of sweetness that balances the savory salmon.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
