This is such a tasty, elegant and rather quick recipe to make for a party in any season, really. I’ve made them for Ramadan Iftar parties, Eid gatherings, family night dinners, special occasions, and even when I’ve catered fancy events downtown Chicago. Always use the best salmon you can find and the freshest greens you can find, as well.
The recipe in the video is super quick because it’s simpler in that the cream cheese is plain.
In the recipe below it is a blend of ingredients that is suitable for an elegant party.
It can easily be multiplied depending on how many you’ll serve.
Most guests will eat about 2-3 each on average.
Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Crudites
Serves 4
Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
Juice of one large lemon
1/3 cup freshly chopped dill
Sea salt, to taste (about 1/8 teaspoon)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste (about 1/8 teaspoon)
4 ounces smoked salmon (preferably wild)
1/3 cup diced cucumber
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream (optional)
Arugula or spring greens leaves
Directions
If you have a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment to break up the cream cheese and mix it together with the sour cream; if not, an electric beater works fine.
Add the lemon juice, fresh dill, salt and pepper. Roughly chop the salmon then gently fold it into the dip. Fold in the cucumber with a spoon or spatula.
Check the consistency and, if desired, add the heavy cream to create the consistency you prefer.
Refrigerate until serving. Keeps fresh for about 3 days in the fridge.
Everyone wants snacks, even without celebration days, right? I’m not a big snacker on a daily basis, but I do like to make my own when I am craving them or doing a bit of a Netflix bing. Diriglis Ertugrul, anyone?
Here are a few ideas for you to serve to your guests if you’re hosting a party or just having guests over for coffee, tea or mocktails on the day of Eid or for your own personal and family movie nights.
This mix is a blend of a variety of spicy and smoky, which I love.
Crunchy Party MixNot as savory as the one above, but nice and crunchy and you can make it light on the salt if you get the unsalted nuts.
Smoked Salmon dips are the best. I will never buy this ready-made. I’m sure they’re fine, but it just doesn’t sit right with me because I want to make sure the salmon is fresh. Plus, you can make your own in this simple recipe. Seriously simple.
Caribbean Style Shrimp Salad. This is such a refreshing appetizer and one of my favorites. I think it’s great for all of you who live in nice, warm and tropical weather but those of us in Chicago could also use a nice hefty dose of Vitamin C that’s in here…
There’s plenty more on this site, so please have a browse around. I’d love to know what you decide to make, so please share in the comments below…
I love a good party dip- and a good party! No matter where you are in the world, it seems, you need a good snack/appetizer/pre-meal munchie to go with the food and warm up the guests as they arrive. During Ramadan, however, the schedule is a little bit different. Do you really think about party foods, dips with chips or crackers or are you really just trying to get actual food on the table?
I think if you’re having guests over who will stay a little longer than just for the main Iftar meal, you’ll want to give people something to munch on with drinks, especially if they stay into the night.
Since it’s summer, why not pick the freshest herbs from your grocer, farmers market or your own garden and add lots of them to a cream-based dip and serve it up with some wonderful, light oven bakedlentil crackers and raw veggies, or crudités?
I use herbs like fresh chives, cilantro, basil, parsley, dill, oregano- whatever I have that is growing nicely and super fresh and beautiful- it’s going into this dip! It’s best to pick in the morning, by the way, when plants are nice and fresh with morning dew.
I do about half yogurt and half sour cream, a pinch of salt and pepper and all the fresh herbs (about 2-4 heaping tablespoons).
Raw veggies can be anything you like and/or have on hand. I like Persian cucumbers, colorful carrots and even pretty lettuce leaves that are good for scooping the dip.
As they say, they’re “dense in protein, high in fiber, and low in fat”– and I can taste that. They’re also gluten-free and part of the Non-GMO project, which I’m certainly passionate about supporting in all of our foods.
One last note- if this doesn’t suit your lifestyle needs for Iftar, bookmark this recipe or save it on Pinterest for a great, all-natural and wholesome snack recipe for an Eid party.
