This post is sponsored by Stacy’s Pita Chips. All opinions are mine alone.
These simple 5-ingredient smoked salmon bites burst with flavors and texture contrast! Perfect make-ahead appetizer for any holiday cocktail hour.
As we enter the busy holiday season, let’s promise ourselves that we won’t stress about planning a perfect party, perfect gifts, perfect anything. Instead enjoy this beautiful time of year, spending quality time with our loved ones.
And by loved ones, I don’t only mean family. Because for a lot of us, friends are family too.
By the way, do you ever feel like friends get neglected during busy holiday season?
Of course, you want to spend more time with your sister and her family from out of state, and your parents who drove 10+ hours to celebrate holidays with you.
But friends aren’t any less important.
So let’s make time to wish our dear friends a happy holiday in person. (Of course, I’m talking about those friends who live nearby, and not across the globe, like most of my friends are.)
And it doesn’t have to be a full blown dinner party after dinner party every day for the rest of the year. No, no! Keep it simple, keep it casual. Let’s focus on the quality of time, and not on heavy planning.
Here’s a fab idea: let’s host holiday happy hour at home!
Why at home? Well, number of reasons…
- Again, quality time is what we strive for. So having a cozy, laid-back environment without constant interruption is a key, and home is where you can have that.
- Because entertaining is fun! Right?
- It’s easy on the wallet.
- With simple “fix it and forget it” type of appetizer ideas you won’t need to stress about what to serve.
Speaking of appetizers, don’t these gorgeous little bites look absolutely elegant and delicious?
Despite the short list of ingredients, these smoked salmon bites are definitely not short on flavor! Mixture of creamy cottage cheese and velvety smooth smoked salmon, seasoned with lemony-tart capers and aromatic dill, pairs so well with crispy pita chips!
The flavors compliment each other beautifully and contrasting textures are quite addicting.
Each and every ingredient brings something to the table, and can’t be omitted. Let’s talk details, shall we?
Stacy’s Pita Chips
Without a doubt, Stacy’s pita chips are star of the show here! Topped with creamy smoked salmon mixture, these pita chips turn from good to amazing! Without them, it lacks the texture big time! I chose Parmesan Garlic & Herb version for this recipe, but really, any savory version will be awesome.
Smoked Salmon
We’re using cold-smoked salmon in this recipe, the velvety smooth stuff. By the way, did you know there are two different methods of smoking salmon: cold-smoking and hot-smoking. Cold-smoking method requires first curing the fish with salt, then slowly smoking it at 70-90°F. On other hand, hot-smoked salmon is smoked/cooked at higher temperature, 120-180°F. Storage-wise, cold-smoked salmon is perishable and must be stored in the refrigerator, while hot-smoked salmon is usually canned or vacuum-sealed and can be stored at room temperature for very long time.
Cottage cheese
When shopping for cottage cheese, pay special attention to fat content. Regular cottage cheese is creamier and helps tie everything together nicely. If you prefer a low fat or fat free option it may change the consistency.
Dill and cappers
Both dill and capers compliment smoked salmon beautifully! Slightly citrusy n’ aromatic dill and lemony capers brighten the flavors of the topping, making it an absolute flavor bomb!
Leave simple chips and dips for laid-back game-day gatherings.
It’s a holiday season after all, elevate those simple ingredients into something a bit special, but without extra effort. Win-win, for all!
Smoked Salmon Cottage Cheese Bites
Ingredients
- 4 oz 115gr smoked salmon, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup 115gr cottage cheese
- 3 teaspoons capers chopped
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
- Stacy’s Parmesan Garlic & Herb Pita Chips
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together smoked salmon, cottage cheese, capers and dill until well combined. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, top pita chips with ½ tablespoon of smoked salmon mixture. Or you can serve the dip and chips separately so the guests can help themselves.
Nutrition
Just had this now and it was fantastic. Swapped out for my favourite crackers and had dried dill so did half the amount. Will have again tomorrow !
Yay, so happy you tried and loved it, Lorna!! Thanks for your feedback!