Smoked Salmon with Black Pepper Potato Chips and Lemon Créme Fraîche
Black pepper potato chips (use kettle-cooked, which are sturdier) are a surprising and delicious base for this starter. OK, here's how you can make this work for an elegant cocktail party treat: First, use high quality chips. If you don't care to make your own (which isn't hard by the way), then use "kettle" style chips - either black pepper and sea salt, or rosemary work particularly well. Select only the best appearing chips from the bag to use for this recipe. Blend freshly grated lemon peel into the container of creme fraiche. Decorate with freshly snipped chives. You can also make this same recipe using smoked mackerel. Try topping those with creme fraiche AND inexpensive fish roe (salmon is nice because of the color). I guarantee your guests will be wowed and they will all be gone early into the party!
1/4 cup créme fraiche or sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
16 large black pepper or salt-and-pepper potato chips
1 4-ounce package thinly sliced smoked salmon, cut into 16 pieces
Chopped fresh chives
Stir creme fraiche and lemon peel in small bowl. Arrange potato chips on plate. Divide salmon among chips. Spoon rounded 1/2 teaspoon lemon creme fraiche atop salmon on each chip and sprinkle with chives.
Calories: 109, Fat: 7g, Fiber: 0